Bonham, Texas -- Roy Floyd has participated in a lot of ribbon cuttings during his 40 years of public service to the citizens of Bonham, but the one Wednesday was different. This was the first time Mr. Floyd cut the ribbon in a municipal building named in his honor.

Samantha Lumpkins and Roy Floyd

It was standing-room-only in the Roy V. Floyd Community Center, a building that got its start as the National Guard Armory and later became known as Bonham Civic Center.

Floyd was surrounded by family and friends as the City of Bonham dedicated and renamed the building on June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

After an unequaled career of public service to the city of Bonham that includes four decades of involvement in city government, Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd tendered his resignation in a letter to Bonham Mayor Pro Tem H. Compton dated January 15, 2021 and it was Mayor Compton who welcomed the crowd to the event June 30.

"What an asset he has been to the City of Bonham -- around town and in Austin," Mr. Compton remarked. "This fellow is a hard act to follow. I am honored to have known him."

Bonham Mayor H.L. Compton

On behalf of Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Lumpkins initiated a ribbon cutting to celebrate the event.

Fannin County Judge Randy Moore called the renaming and dedication of the building a "great tribute."

Bonham City Manager Sean Pate said that as soon as word got out that the city was renaming the building in honor of the man whose phone rang day and night during his 22 years as mayor, the community that Floyd had faithfully served sprang into action with contributions and donations to upgrade the facility.

Mr. Pate noted one important reason that so many employees and former employees of the city were in attendance.

"He was always pro-employee, and always will be," Pate said of Floyd.

Bonham City Manager Sean Pate

Former county judge Spanky Carter said that working with Floyd reminded him of the final seconds of a critical playoff game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls when the coach of the Bulls drew up a play to center Dave Corzine only to hear Michael Jordan say, "No, give me the ball and I'll win the game."

"That's Roy Floyd," Mr. Carter told the audience that filled the Roy V. Floyd Community Center. "Most of you never saw the time and work that went into making that shot. Roy gave you 40 years of his life and he did it because he loves you."

Lance Capehart, Director of Utilities, City of Bonham (far left) and Bonham City Manager Sean Pate (far right) greet Tom Thornton and Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston at the front door of Roy V. Floyd Community Center.

Linda Floyd (left) receives a dozen roses from Melissa Maxwell, the City of Bonham Director of Tourism and Marketing

Roy Floyd receives a resolution from the State of Texas presented by Beth Purcell of Texas Senator Bob Hall's office.

(L-R) Roy Floyd and Fannin County Judge Randy Moore

Former Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter

Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston

Roy Floyd, flanked by his son, Sean

Several members of the FLoyd family pause for a photo. Roy's mother also attended the dedication and renaming ceremony.

photos by Allen Rich