Joseph Floyd, 88 of Harrisburg, SD passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 with family at his side.

Joe H. Floyd a cable television and broadcasting pioneer died January 14th, 2025 at his home in Harrisburg, South Dakota under hospice care. Joe was 88 years old.

Visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home South 7400 S. Minnesota Ave Sioux Falls, SD from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, January 19th. A memorial service and lunch will be held at 11am and Monday January 20th at Springdale Lutheran Church located at 26946 480th Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57108. Springdale is a small church with limited seating. To accommodate everyone that wishes to attend the service it will be live steamed www.youtube.com/live . A private family burial service will be held prior to his memorial service.

Joseph Hamilton Floyd was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on August 5th, 1936, to Donna B. Broach and Joe L. Floyd. He attended Cathedral Grade School and graduated from Washington High School in 1954. After high school Joe attended Augustana College (now Augustana University) and the University of Denver graduating in 1958 with degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering. Joe joined the Navel Reserve when he started attending College. Joe began his career with Martin Marietta in Littleton, Colorado working on Titan Missiles. He then went to work for the Public Service Company of Colorado working on many interesting projects including the lighting of the newly constructed Eisenhower Tunnel. In 1968 Joe joined South Dakota Cable in Lead, South Dakota as Manager of six systems. He then moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1971 as Vice President of Midcontinent Cable. In 1976 he transferred to Sioux Falls and took the position as Executive Vice President of Operations for Kelo-land Television. During this time Joe was instrumental in the technological advancements made in the operation of the broadcast television stations and cable operations. Sometimes inventing technology as they went. In 1980 Joe became Executive Vice president, Director and Chief Operations officer of Midcontinent Media the parent company of Kelo-land stations and other Midcontinent affiliates. In 1983 Joe was asked to temporarily move to Washington DC to operate the Washington Teleport owned by Midcontinent Media. Joe continued the technological advancements to make this company competitive in a rapidly changing environment. Joe returned to Sioux Falls after two years and became President of Midcontinent Communications moving him to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1996 Joe moved back to his home state working towards retirement in stages from Midcontinent Communications allowing him the opportunity to spend time at work and time enjoying his many passions. Joe officially retired from Midcontinent Communications in 2002.

Joe met his wife Mona (Larson) at the Granada Theater in Sioux Falls where he was an usher, and she was a popcorn girl. They were married in 1955 and had four children: Curtis, Cari, Connie and Craig. Referred to in all family Christmas cards as Joe, Mona and the four C's much to the embarrassment of the four C's. Mona was the person in Joe's early life that allowed him to be completely immersed in studies or work but still have a balance of family and career. They divorced after 26 years of marriage.

Joe and Elaine (Satter) were married in 1979 with friends and family in Deadwood. Joe's family grew with the addition of Elaine's daughters Shelley and Ava. Joe and Elaine were constant companions, spending time traveling, sailing, participating in car shows and entertaining friends. As a couple, Joe and Elaine supported many organizations all over the country with a special focus on education. Some of the organizations that were very important to them are Black Hills State University, Augustana University, The Sioux Falls Turn About Program, The Butterfly House and Aquarium and the Early Ford V8 Foundation. Joe continued his support of education until his death.

One of Joe's many passions was cars. He owned many classic cars but in Joe's opinion the 1936 Ford was the most beautiful car ever produced. He collected and restored eighteen 1936 Fords that were donated to the Early Ford V8 Foundation in Auburn, Indiana. The collection is on display in a replica 1930's Ford Dealership showroom. Another passion was sailing. Joe learned to sail as a boy and was a lifelong sailor. He and Elaine had a cabin on Madeline Island in Wisconsin that provided a fantastic location to sail. The cabin became one of Joe's favorite locations.

Grateful to have shared his life are his children Cari Heupel, Connie Donohue (David King) Craig Floyd (Karen) all of Sioux Falls, Shelley Erickson (Dan) of Denver, CO and Ava Love (Tom) of Canton. His sister Nancy Thomas (Dr. Dave) and Susan Dempster (Richard) both of Sioux Falls and daughter-in-law Jeri Floyd of Brandon. His grandchildren Angie Johnson (Derek), Sarah Koustrup (Kyle) both of Fargo, ND, Chris Floyd, Benjamin Floyd (Natasha) and Nick Floyd (Katie) all of Sioux Falls. Molly Donohue and Max Donohue (Whitney) both of Harrisburg.  Kimberly Germain (Greg) Syracuse, New York, Marshall Feterl (Thais) Brisbane, Australia. Grant Feterl (Jenna) Wilmington Delaware. His ten great grandchildren. Joe was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine and his son Curtis Floyd.

Memorials can be sent to any of Joe's favorite organizations Black Hills State University, Augustana University, The Early Ford V8 Foundation, The Sioux Falls Butterfly House and Aquarium.