Dalton Floyd Jr., 86, attorney chaired state higher ed board
April 24, 2025
Dalton Buford Floyd Jr. of Murrells Inlet, an attorney who became a leader in higher education in South Carolina, died April 14 at Waccamaw Community Hospital after a long illness. He was 86.
He was born May 4, 1938, in Lake City, the son of Dalton B. Floyd and Reba Clowney Floyd. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina cum laude. He then entered the Air Force as a captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps and was stationed in Ankara, Turkey.
Upon returning home, Mr. Floyd began a 62-year career as an attorney. He became a community and statewide leader earning numerous awards and accolades throughout his life. Some of the most meaningful included starting three banking institutions, serving as a lecturer for the Carolinas Section of PGA of America and receiving the Order of the Palmetto from Gov. Mark Sanford in 2005 for his contribution and service to the state.
Mr. Floyd was a former chairman of the S.C. Higher Education Commission, a member of the adjunct faculty of the Charleston Law School, a trustee of Winthrop University and Coastal Carolina University, and a life trustee of Brookgreen Gardens.
He received the John S. Rainey Philanthropy Award from the Huntington Society at Brookgreen Gardens in 2022.
In his later years, Mr. Floyd’s favorite activity was being a member of the Belin Memorial United Methodist Church Choir. He loved the music, the people and the camaraderie.
His deep love of education and animals led to the development of the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program at Coastal Carolina University, the domestic animal exhibit at Brookgreen in honor of his parents, and Nova’s Garden, a pet cemetery located on the property of Belin.
He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Linda Floyd; his children, Dalton Floyd III (Lacy), Brad Floyd (Dianne) and Blake Floyd (Shayda), all of Murrells Inlet, and Terry Norwood of Annandale, Va.; his grandchildren, Anna Norwood, Samuel Norwood and Mya Floyd; his sister, Betty Stone (Doug) of Lake City; his brother-in-laws, Cliffe Barrineau (Jude) and Ira Barrineau; his nephews and nieces, Justin Stone, Patricia Barrineau (Bri), Chaz Barrineau, Natalie Argueta (Carlos) and Gracie Barrineau; his housekeeper, Essie Tucker; his golden retriever, Enzo; and numerous cousins and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. The service will be live streamed at,belinumc.org. Visitation will follow in the Family Life Center. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookgreen Gardens at brookgreen.org or to the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program c/o Coastal Carolina Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528-6054.
Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.
