I was surprised this morning by an auto-reply email from Fred Floyd. It seems that Fred passed away last Thursday morning.
I "met" Fred at least 10 years ago on the old Letterhead Chat. Fred,Mike McCloud, Rick Sacks and a few others here would log on in the early mornings for our own coffee klatch. It was a great way to start the day.
I think that Fred's business, Carolina Vinyl was a merchant member here in the past also.
I will so miss that low southern drawl over the phone. He was a great gentleman and a good friend.
Sorry to hear that news Bill. Fred was a great guy and a real gentleman. Shirley and I had the pleasure of spending an evening with he and his wife in Wilmington many years ago.
I, too, will miss that deep southern drawl of his.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Fred was a great guy. He was a Mason and a Shriner. A dedicated man to the Craft. I bought vinyl from him many times. A true gentleman.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I met Fred several years ago. He's one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.
I remember when he first started Carolina Vinyl from his garage. The place was packed with material with barely any room to move around. He'd call once in a while right out of the blue just to say "hi". We'd jawjack for an hour or so before realizing how much time had flown by.
.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
I met Fred, through business dealings. He bought products from me and we also exchanged deals on occasion. I met him in Florida, at a sign show and we had beers together, told some lies and shared a few notes.
Happy trails....Fred.
Jack
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
I befriended Fred here on this BB, and had the utmost pleasure of several phone conversations with him. What a gentleman, and yes that southern drawl was really something.
I sure am deeply saddened by this news, and wish I had talked to him more recently than I have. It's been years.
Another good one is gone from us.
~nettie
Posted by Sherye Bergmann (Member # 3067) on :
It was sad news to learn about Fred. He was truly the Old Sign Geezer around here. Glenn is right, his little shop behind the house was packed to the brim! He would make a $5.00 order for me just as quick as he would a $500.00 order and always followed it up with a healthy set of jokes which were never in short supply. I spent many hours shootin' the bull with Fred and will miss him dearly. He had suffered a great deal of health issues here in the past year though and I'm grateful that he is not struggling with it anymore.
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Thanks Bill for letting us know about Fred.
His family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
oh that's too bad! i've spoken with him on the phone...what a nice man! his family are in my thoughts.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
R.I.P. Fred!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Those early morning coffee klatches were some wonderful moments and good sharing. We enjoyed chatting about faith issues and fishing as much or more than sign talk. Farewell Fred, and I hope that you and Mike can meet up and continue the fondness we all shared.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Sorry to hear about Fred, Bill. I will keep his family in my thought and prayers. I have ordered from Fred and talked to him on the phone several times. He was a true southern gentleman. What accent are yall talking about...he sounded normal to me. Judy
Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
I had the pleasure of meeting Fred last year at ISA in Vegas. He certainly was a most humurous and generous man, with alway a joke ready. I made an enquiry to him about an apron, and he senr it out to me and refused any payment for it. I talked on Skype with him often and he always made me laugh. Did anyone see his wheels with "Fred" written on it in the Ford style logo. He was also known as Fast Fred.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
I just saw this post. So sorry to lose Fred. I also dealt with him on the phone a couple times and remember him from here. I don't really know anyone in his area and letterville led me to him. Sending you love and peace, Fred.
Posted by Donald Miner (Member # 6472) on :
I never met or talked with Fred, but it saddens me to know we have lost another member of this craft. One of the things that bothers me most, is the loss of the talent and knowledge that can never more flow from that unique source. Peace, Don
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
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