11/18/2025
Floyd Putney
Dr. Floyd Witt Putney, 80, of Johns Island, SC died Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Floyd welcomed nearly 7,000 babies into the world with gentle hands and his trademark mustache hidden behind his hospital mask. His smiling eyes warmly welcomed each newborn into the world. As an obstetrician, Floyd dedicated his professional life to ushering in new life. At home, he devoted himself just as fully to giving his family the best life possible.
Floyd was born in Brigham, Utah on February 20, 1945, but spent most of his childhood in Pennsylvania while attending the Haverford School. Medical school was always the goal, but he took an unconventional path as a history major. He claimed it made him a better storyteller, but his family knows it also made him better at yelling out correct answers to Jeopardy. Floyd also took a slight detour to the delivery room when Uncle Sam called his number and sent him to Korea. He was drafted by the Army to go to Vietnam, but ended up getting sent to Korea after the USS Pueblo was captured. Though his military career was short lived, Floyd was proud of his service to our country and the motivation it gave him to pursue his passion for medicine.
After his time in the Army, he enrolled at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where his father, the late F. Johnson Putney, MD, was a faculty member in the Department of Otolaryngology, specializing in head and neck cancer.
While at M.U.S.C., Floyd and Jan met on a blind date arranged by a close friend who thought they'd be perfect for each other. Their first date was a sail on his lightening sailboat, which he often raced in Charleston regattas. There was no looking back and 8 months later, they were married.
Floyd had a passion for the water dating back to time at his alma mater, Trinity College class of '67, where he earned the right to compete in the US Olympic Rowing Trials. Wanting their kids to grow up on the water, Jan and Floyd built a house on Big Bay Creek on Edisto Island. It ensured Meredith, Lauren, and John would grow up with salt water in their veins. It's a love he's also passed to his grandchildren. Ella Jane Anderson, Katherine Martin Putney, and Anna Crosby Putney all have the privilege of calling him "Gramps," the name he hand-picked for himself. He always said being a grandfather was one of the biggest honors of his life.
As kind and as gentle as "Gramps" was, he was also proud that he was able to strike fear into the hearts of countless children over the years on Halloween. His porch decorations evolved into a full-blown haunted house. His wife eventually had to create "treat bags" to award those brave enough to make it to the front door. He delighted in every scream, measuring his success in decibels, because it meant the magic he created was working.
Floyd is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Jan Martin Putney; his children, Meredith Martin Anderson (Estelle), Lauren Putney Barzee (Craig), and Floyd Johnson "John" Putney (Lee); his grandchildren Ella, Kate, and Anna; his grand dogs Ava, Gus, Hamilton, Mulligan, and Henry; and his very loving Martin extended family. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth A. Putney, and his step-brothers Todd A. Putney (Mary-Stewart) and Stephen K. Putney. He is preceded in death by his parents, F. Johnson Putney, MD and Verna Schole Putney, and his brother, John Randolph "Randy" Putney.
The family will receive friends between 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM Friday, November 21, 2025 at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. His Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 PM in the Chapel. Per the family's request, the burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Make a Wish of South Carolina, 225 S Pleasantburg Dr c17, Greenville, SC 29607 or Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S Broad St, Clinton, SC 29325, both of which are near and dear to our hearts.
Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, INC. (843) 766-1365.
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