Floyd Melton Gardner

Floyd Melton Gardner, 84, a man who lived the majority of his life sharing stories, jokes, and enjoying delicious food and cold beverages in music-filled spaces, passed away peacefully at his home in Pawleys Island, South Carolina on Saturday, December 6th 2025, surrounded by the loving care of his devoted wife of 46 years, Pamela Simpson Gardner.

Born in 1941 to Floyd May Gardner and Ethel Randall Gardner in Charlotte, North Carolina, Melton was raised uptown and was a 1959 graduate of Central High School. As a child, he was often called inquisitive and was said to be able to fix anything. His father often complimented him on this skill, which set the tone for a career with AT&T where he worked in International Marketing. Through this work, he developed a love of travel and technology. With AT&T, he facilitated the first video conferencing between the United Kingdom and the United States. His career also enabled him to meet and make lasting relationships with friends around the world. While the majority of his career was spent in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, he and his wife enjoyed years in their second home in the Poconos and visiting the beach.

Melton's most cherished role, however, was as a "promoter of his loved ones." He adored his family and everyone he encountered learned that. Melton often made them larger than life. He was so proud of his wife Pam and the fact that he knew she could run circles around anyone at any given time. When she had heart valve replacement, he was quite sick, but told his daughter that he had to get dressed and lay eyes on his sweetheart no matter what. To him, Pam was his everything. He was also incredibly proud of his three children. The late Jennifer Suzanne Gardner of Charlotte, North Carolina was his heart. She passed away at four years of age, and a small part of him passed with her. Then, he had two other children to brag about; his daughter Heidi Gardner Steeves and her husband, David Steeves of Shelby, North Carolina and his son Christopher Lee Gardner and his wife, Brittany Branyon Gardner of Greenville, South Carolina. He shared a love of music and of singing with his daughter, Heidi. After retiring to Litchfield, he and Pam enjoyed the beach music scene along with local karaoke. Heidi loved singing with her father at karaoke, often staying long into the night. Melton shared a love of food with his son, Chris who was a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and could create the tastiest meals. He loved to tell others about Chris' externship in Austria. Perhaps his proudest accomplishments were his three grandchildren. Heidi and David's son, Dylan Craig Steeves of Shelby, North Carolina who he referred to as his "clone." Looking at Melton's baby pictures all the way to his adulthood, one can see the uncanny resemblance. Dylan loves to spend time with his grandparents and especially enjoyed sharing his love of Duke Basketball with his granddaddy. Granddaddy would sit on his respected couch, while Dylan built his "nest" of blankets on the loveseat beside him. The family always knew when Dylan learned to drive that he would head straight for his grandparents house. He was so proud of Dylan and his business degree and accomplishments in soccer. Melton's granddaughter, Jennifer Callie Gardner, daughter of Chris and Brittany Gardner of Greenville, South Carolina made him beam with pride as well. Along with her beautiful demeanor, Jennifer is a kind and creative young lady whose intelligence is enabling her to choose from numerous colleges and universities. Melton enjoyed watching her play volleyball as well. Her brother, Rhett Daniel Gardner, son of Chris and Brittany Gardner was also a joy for Melton. Rhett kept his "Grandy" laughing and thoroughly entertained. Melton loved facetime with Rhett because he often said Rhett reminded him of his father who was a big talker. He loved watching Rhett gaming and enjoying whatever activity he tried.

Melton would want us to celebrate his life with a good story and a cold beverage with slightly loud music, not mourning his departure. His final instruction: "Don't grieve for me; instead, know that I've lived a beautiful life with a perfect woman. I have two amazing children and three wonderful grandchildren. I've been everywhere I've wanted to go, and I've seen all that I wanted to see."

A celebration of Melton's life will be held in early January at St. Paul's Waccamaw Methodist Church in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the American Kidney Association or the Limphoma/Lukemia Association.

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, SC (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.