Floyd Lawrence Miralles

Floyd Lawrence Miralles was born Jan. 23rd, 1923, in Auburn, California and passed away Jan. 1st, 2025, at home in Janesville, Wisconsin. When he was 3 years old, he, his younger brother and older sister went to live with a foster family in Shasta, California. Floyd lived with his foster family until he graduated from Redding High School and joined the Navy. 

He enlisted Dec. 6th, 1940, at the age of 17, and remained in the Navy until the end of WWII. He was trained as an aviation machinist mate and attached to Air Squadrons serving aboard the aircraft carriers Lexington, Saratoga and Enterprise. He saw major action in the South Pacific aboard the Enterprise. 

After he and his brother were discharged from the Navy, they attended college on the G.I. Bill, and both graduated from Washington State College with degrees in agriculture. While in college he met Betty Kitzmiller, and they were married. After living in various places they moved to Longview, Washington where Floyd found work as a timber appraiser for Cowlitz County. While living in Longview he worked as a timber appraiser, and a residential and industrial property appraiser. He retired in 1985. He continued to drive and play golf until he was 96 years old. 

His Christian faith was the most important part of his life after realizing the fragility of life, losing friends and shipmates during the war and wanting to live a life with present and eternal significance. He was active in the Longview, Washington Nazarene church throughout his time in Longview. 

His wife Betty, who was a licensed minister, passed away in 2010. He moved in with his son Dan and daughter-in-law Julie in 2018 and has lived with them since then, moving with them to Wisconsin in 2022. 

He is survived by a brother Richard age 100 (wife Joy), half-brothers Larry Miralles and Robert Miralles, son Dan (wife Julie), granddaughters, Heather, Stacy and Jennifer, 6 great granddaughters, one great grandson, and one great, great granddaughter. Also, a sister-in-law Judy Early and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by those who knew him, especially his grandchildren who brightened up his life. 

A memorial service will be held at the Longview Nazarene Church Feb. 22nd at 11 AM.