Floral Industry Champion and Pioneer
A memorial tribute has been established through the American Floral Endowment (AFE), honoring Delmar “Del” Earl Demaree Jr., AAF.
Del Demaree Jr. passed away on January 2nd, 2023, at the age of 85. Del was a longtime industry member with over 60 years of experience, a business expert, and a devoted family man. He was the Chairman of Syndicate Sales, Inc.
Del era un propietario de segunda generación que llevó su negocio familiar, Syndicate Sales, a nuevas alturas. En 1967 se convirtió en presidente de la empresa, la cual despegó gracias a su visión y su impulso empresarial. Para entonces, productos como el Aquapic, el Design Bowl y las Everlastin’ Baskets eran tres productos básicos muy utilizados. En 1968, Del introdujo los recipientes Fronzwood, el Candelite Cardette y Hoosier Glass.
Under Del’s guidance, Syndicate was the first company to use barcode shipping to add a new level of transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the supply chain. Del also pushed Syndicate to become among the first in the industry to implement online ordering. In 1994, Syndicate began manufacturing floral preservative, Aquaplus, and floral foam, Aquafoam.
Criado en granjas en Míchigan y luego en las afueras de Kokomo, Indiana, el primer contacto de Del con el mundo empresarial fue cuando vendía pollos de la granja familiar puerta a puerta. Durante aquella época, a mediados de los años 40, el padre de Del pasaba cuatro días a semana trabajando en la agricultura y tres en la carretera vendiendo artículos de regalo a floristas. Fue por entonces cuando nació el negocio familiar. Durante sus primeros años en la empresa, Del aprendió los valores de la administración responsable, el trabajo duro, así como el respeto a los clientes, acreedores y empleados. También comprendió y modeló la importancia del voluntariado y el servicio comunitario.
In the 10-year span from the mid-’50s to mid-’60s, Del graduated from high school, got married, started a family, served as a manufacturers rep for several hardgood companies, and graduated from Indiana University. By this time, the manufacturing side of the business had gone bankrupt, but the selling arm of Syndicate Sales remained. When his father retired in 1967, Del became president. From there, the company’s growth took off due to Del’s vision and entrepreneurial drive.
Throughout his long career, Del had an unsurpassed commitment to giving back to the floral industry and to the American Floral Endowment. Del dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to participate in associations and organizations.
Del was AFE’s Chairman from 1992 to 1993 and a longtime supporter. His commitment to the Endowment spanned across decades.
Del and his family established the Del Demaree Family Fund through AFE. In 2015, he established the Business Internship Program based from the family fund. Through this program, he created a legacy supporting the next generation of business students in the floral industry. The students get direct experience at their internships, and after completing the program, they can qualify for one of four annual $2,500 scholarships, all thanks to Del’s support.
“Del Demaree had a dedication and love of his family, his friends, his business, and the floral industry that had no boundaries. Del’s smile filled the room, and his laugh filled your heart with warmth. He gave freely and endlessly of himself. He made a difference in so many ways and so many places. I am very proud to say Del was my dear friend, and I will miss him,” reflected Dwight Larimer, Past AFE Chairman and Trustee.
His leadership and service spanned across other industry organizations as well, notably as the Society of American Florists (SAF) President from 1981-1983 and as Treasurer and Director for the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA). He received the American Institute of Floral Designers Award of Merit, WF&FSA’s Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award, was named the GLFA Wholesaler Tradesman of the Year, and was inducted into both SAF’s and WF&FSA’s Hall of Fames.
In addition to the floral industry, Del’s service to his community was diverse and significant. He served on the Kokomo Mayor’s Advisory Council, the Kokomo Symphonic Board of Trustees, the IUK Board of Advisors, and received the IUK Chancellor’s award in 1985. Over the years, he also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Howard County, the Y’s Men, and the Howard Country Progress Committee. In 2013, he was inducted into the Howard County Historical Society Hall of Legends. In 2016, as lead donor in a core group of donors supporting a new Kokomo YMCA facility, the board members honored Del by naming the structure, the Delmar E Demaree Family YMCA. From 2020-22, he served as a board member for the Songbook Foundation at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, IN.
When he wasn’t serving the floral industry and his community, Del took great pride in being together with his family. He is survived by his five children, Trip Demaree, Laura Shinall – past AFE Chairman (Larry), John Demaree (Elizabeth), Anne Chadwick (Bob), and Sarah Clark (David); 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, and his wife, Libby.
Details for Del’s service can be found here, where you can also send flowers.
Los cheques se pueden enviar a:
Fundación Floral Americana
c/o Del Demaree Memorial Tribute
610 Madison Street, Ste. 101, PMB 803
Alexandria, VA 22314
Siempre se notifica a la familia de las donaciones y las contribuciones se pueden hacer por cualquier cantidad.
