Malcolm Dale Dale Floyd

M. Dale Floyd, age 70, died Friday, March 22, 2013 after a courageous one year battle with cancer. Born September 11, 1942 in Mullins, SC, he was a graduate of Conway High School in 1960 and attended Coastal Carolina and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina in 1967. He had a passion for basketball in high school and for two years at Coastal Carolina. Upon graduating from USC, he embarked on a 46+ year career with Prudential Insurance Company of America. Among his many accolades, he was a Life and Qualifying Member of the prestigious and international Million Dollar Round Table, a member of Prudential’s elite President’s Club and Senior Honor Guard for many years, and he was a Co-Founder of the Life Leaders of South Carolina in 1979. He also served as President of the Columbia Association of Life Underwriters in 1982-1983. He obtained his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1976. Dale touched countless lives in the profession he was deeply devoted to and was always proud to give the best service available to his clients for over four and a half decades.

Dale was also very involved in Ducks Unlimited, serving as Chairman of the Columbia Chapter for a total of five years. Under his leadership, the local chapter set records in fundraising that have yet to be matched since. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Saraband Dance Club and served as its President.

He had a deep passion for his business fraternity at USC, Delta Sigma Pi and served as President of the local Alumni Club for twenty years before stepping down last year as his health declined. One of the highlights in his life was when he was recently bestowed the Silver Helmet Award by the International Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity for his service and loyalty for over forty-seven years. This is one of their most prestigious awards and Dale is the only Brother in South Carolina ever to be honored with this award.

Dale was respected not only by his colleagues at Prudential but also by his competitors throughout the insurance community, due to his reputation of being honest, ethical and passionate and always putting his client’s needs above his own. He was also an avid Gamecock fan who loved tailgating with family and friends for over forty years, through good seasons as well as some bad seasons. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing.

Dale was the oldest son of the late Otis Coke Floyd and Amelia Wilson Floyd. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Linda Champion Floyd, who was by his side every step of the way during his illness. Also surviving are six children, daughters, Patricia Floyd Dempster (Rick) of Lexington, Jennifer W. Eanes (Chris) of Waxhaw, NC, Elizabeth Leigh Wilkie of Columbia and Karen W. Hall (Jason) of West Columbia; sons, James Dean Floyd (Angela) of Columbia and Dale Floyd Jr. of Mt. Pleasant; nine beautiful grandchildren, Craig Floyd, Katherine Floyd, Addison Floyd, Walker Eanes, Riley Eanes, Presley Eanes, Summer Araya, Miles Hall and Bryce Hall and a brother, O. Coke Floyd Jr. of Columbia who was also his business partner for forty two years.

He will be missed by all who knew him for his love for and dedication to his family and friends, as well as for his sense of humor. Dale had a special interest in Carolina Children’s Home and the work they have done for many decades and he was a regular contributor for over forty years. It is requested that Memorials be made to them at Carolina Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4465, Columbia, SC 29240 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 455 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

Visitation will be at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2013. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2013 at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, 530 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210, with the Rev. Dr. Franklin Fant officiating. Entombment will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Everyone is invited to the residence at 225 Sandhurst Road, Columbia, SC 29210, immediately following for a Celebration of Life of a great man. The family would like to thank all of the doctors who cared for Dale during his illness, in particular Dr. Erik Crook with Columbia Medical Group and Dr. Hal Crosswell with Columbia Eye Clinic.