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Deer Processor jumps back after fire

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It all started when Travis Floyd was little. He grew up in New Zion, where his mother, Eddie Lou Floyd and his father, Lavelle Floyd, raised him. His brother, Jason, was a firefighter, and he has always known that that is what he wanted to be as well.

“All he ever talked about was wanting to be a firefighter,” said Floyd’s mother, Eddie Lou.

As soon as Floyd graduated High school, he began preparing to take his exam and become a full time firefighter with City of Manning.

Floyd was also an avid hunter when he was in school. His father took him on several deer hunts from a young age, and he always loved it. When 301 deer processing in New Zion closed down, Floyd was quick to take it over. He considered it a way to give back to his community, while also being a part of a field that he loved.

“I’ve always liked working with my hands,” said Floyd. “I like to be able to see the finished product as I am working.”

Floyd kept the business lively by hosting Big Doe contests and cookouts at his shop, and he is all about giving back.

“We have several hunters that drop off their deer that don't want the meat,” said Floyd. “I just think it is a good idea to give it to families in need, as well as the children's home in Turbeville. There isn't any sense in wasting good meat when there are people that are struggling to put food on their table.”

Tragedy struck in late 2019, when a car traveling on Salem road collided with a car traveling on Highway 301. The car on Salem road pushed the car on 301 into Buckeye Deer Processing, killing the passenger instantly and setting the processor on fire. The processor then completely burned down, making it completely irreparable.

“We were heartbroken,” said Travis’s wife, Sydney. “Everything we had worked at for the past few years literally went up in flames. I was more heartbroken for the families of the drivers involved with this wreck. The place had burned down before we even made it out there and there wasn’t really anything we could do.”

This did not stop Floyd from his dream. As soon as it the smoke cleared, he began putting things together to build a new and improved deer processor. The new deer processor took a lot of patience, but it is finally up and running again. Floyd is happy to be able to serve his community again so quickly.

“I love where I am and the people I'm serving,” said Floyd. “In New Zion, I get to serve the hunters who live there, and in Manning I get to serve as a firefighter; it is honestly a blessing.”

Floyd has several plans moving forward, but for right now he just wants to keep things steady and slow.

“I have a beautiful wife and two amazing children,” said Floyd. “If all I ever get to do is this and keep them happy and supported, I'll be happy.”

Buckeye Deer Processor is located at 15874 Highway 301, the corner of Highway 301 and Salem Road in New Zion. For more information you can contact Floyd at 803-460-2923