Floyd Daugherty Jr
Floyd Daugherty Jr

Obituary of Floyd Norton Daugherty Jr

Floyd Norton Daugherty, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024, at the age of 97.

Born in Santa Fe, NM, to parents Floyd N. Sr. and Lucelia (LeClair) Daugherty, Floyd lived in Willard, OH, Arlington, VA, and State College, PA, before settling in Westfield, NJ, where he raised his family of five children with his wife, Wendy Lou. In his later years, he moved to Plainfield, NJ.

Floyd served his country proudly in the United States Navy during World War II as a Seaman First Class and Radio Technician Third Class. He trained at the U.S. Naval Training Centers in Bainbridge, MD, Chicago, IL, and Gulfport, MS, and worked at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC. Floyd was awarded the American Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal. On November 25 of this year, Floyd received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, the state of New Jersey’s highest military award, from Governor Philip Murphy, in recognition of his service during World War II.

After being discharged from the Navy, Floyd spent time in the United States Merchant Marine before attending college on the G.I. Bill. He graduated from George Washington University in Washington, DC, with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in chemistry, where he met Wendy. Floyd later continued his graduate education in chemistry at Penn State University in State College, PA.

Floyd worked for the Pentagon in Washington, DC, at DuPont de Nemours, Inc. in Parlin, NJ, as a chemist in the color film division, and as a social worker for Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth, NJ, where he was one of the organization’s first employees and where he spent more than 25 years. Floyd was fond of taking day trips to the Jersey Shore with Wendy and will be remembered for his deep intellect and wit, where he loved to tell a joke. He had a knack for cooking for large groups and was very active in the Boy Scouts, where he planned and cooked for fathers-and-sons weekend camping trips for Troop 72 in Westfield, where his three sons were members. In his free time, he enjoyed the game of bridge and played online with partners all over the world for several years. Floyd also loved reading, especially about science and history, jewelry making, working on home projects, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Floyd was predeceased by his loving wife of 73 years, Wendy (Lou) Lewis Daugherty. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Susan Daugherty and Sharon Lee Daugherty; his sons, Scott Lewis Daugherty, Mark Irwin Daugherty, and Bruce LeClair Daugherty; grandchildren Katie, Jennifer, Megan, Sarah, Dominic, Joey, Jillian, Danielle, Nicole, and Jenna; and great-grandchildren Austin, Isaiah, Michael, Weston, and Theodore.

An inurnment will take place at a future date at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562, where he will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Wendy Lou. In lieu of flowers, donations in Floyd’s memory may be made to Community Access Unlimited or Disabled American Veterans.

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