Freddie W. McCurdy

Freddie Wilson McCurdy, 76, of Lexington, South Carolina passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina on July 22, 1947 to the late Annie Mae Prosser and Manny “Mac” McCurdy.

Fred worked in emergency services as an EMT/Paramedic and retired as a communications supervisor for Richland County 911 system. He was a part time deputy coroner for Lexington County, as well as part time for Disaster mortuary operation response team known as DMORT, where Fred was honored to assist in identifying efforts at 9/11 in New York City. He was especially proud of his time with this team as he was with his tenure as Columbia’s Real Santa Claus. Fred has had many children, families, animals, even reptiles on his lap for 25 years at Woodhill Mall. For at least 20 of those years, he rode in the Columbia Carillon Christmas Parade. He received the key to the city from then Mayor Bob Coble in 2008. In 1993, Fred also received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Carroll Campbell, another accomplishment he was especially proud of! After Woodhill Mall, Santa Fred was able to work in his home town of Lexington at The Flight Deck Restaurant. He also rode in the Lexington Christmas Parade, another of his treasured accomplishments. In addition, he even bounced in a few clubs around town.

Fred was a founding member of the Lakels Club, a longtime member of the local Jimmy Buffett Phan Club, The Palmetto Parrothead Club. He worked with the literary council. He was a mason with the Pacific Lodge and a shriner.

Fred was especially proud of his family some by blood, some by luck! All were loved the same; NO MATTER WHAT!

Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Beth McCurdy; daughter, Lana Hayes; step-children, Erin Branham-Carson (Bo), Gail Jefferson (Leon), Glenn Nelson (Mary Lynn) and Kim Nelson; brothers, Don McCurdy (Frances) and Charlie McCurdy; sisters, Darrell Jean Glover and Patricia Buff and 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Fred was predeceased by his parents; infant sister, Diane; granddaughter, Kennedy Branham; son-in-law, Chip Hayes; and brother-in-law, Lloyd “Bud” Buff, Sr.

A funeral service will be held for Freddie at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Mt. Horeb Church, 1205 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington, SC 29072. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the church. A burial will follow the service at Celestial Memorial Gardens, 3111 Delree St, West Columbia, SC 29170. The family requests casual wear, Hawaiian shirts, or Buffett attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to one of Fred’s choices noted below:

Prisma Health Midlands Foundations Camp Kemo Programs, 1600 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Happy Wheels/ Kennedy’s Kids, PO Box 406, Lexington, SC 29071

Carolina Sunshine for Children, PO Box 1803, Columbia, SC 29202

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Malanuk, Dr. Michael Roberts, Dr. Will Brabham and the medical staff of Lexington Cardiology; the PCU Floor of Lexington Medical Center; Dr. Vijay Koli and staff of Mid Carolina Internal Medicine; and Chris Nettles and Jalayna Burton of Heart of Hospice of Columbia.