Paul G. Dreggors

Long time DeLeon Springs native, Paul Graydon Dreggors, 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 23. Paul was born to James Clarence and Dorothy White Dreggors in the Old DeLand Memorial Hospital on Stone Street. He spent his childhood camping and fishing on the banks of the St. John’s River and Lake Woodruff. Upon graduating from DeLand High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps shortly before the end of WWII and was stationed for a time in Key West, FL.

After leaving the service, Paul returned to DeLeon Springs where he eventually joined his father in the construction business. Evidence of his craftsmanship can be seen in the many homes he built throughout Volusia County. One of his more memorable projects was the repair and reconstruction of the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Waterwheel at DeLeon Springs. 

As a young man, Paul played for the Springers, a local minor league baseball team. Paul was also an avid outdoorsman, who particularly enjoyed turkey hunting and fishing. He spent much of his life in the woods and on the rivers and lakes of central Florida. He also enjoyed gardening and sharing the fruits of his labor with friends and loved ones. For many years, he kept a stockpile of canned vegetables, frozen fish and shrimp, fresh-squeezed orange juice and homemade jellies ready to share with family and friends. 

Other than his family, Paul’s biggest joys in life were making people laugh and helping people. He was a vivid storyteller and would often recount tales of his many adventures with a chuckle and a sparkle in his blue eyes. Paul’s kind and generous spirit, enduring sense of humor and infectious laugh brought joy to the many lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Dreggors, his brothers, David Carroll (USMC, KIA WWII) and Charles Dreggors, and sisters, Ruth Sorensen and Vivian Copeland. 

Paul is survived by his brother, Richard Dreggors, his daughter, Sue Dreggors, his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Diana Dreggors, 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Known affectionately as Daddy, Grandpa, and Papadoo, Paul will be deeply missed by many. 

The family will receive visitors Friday, July 1 from 5-7pm and a funeral service will be held Saturday, July 2 at 10am at Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home in DeLand. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Pinehurst Cemetery in DeLeon Springs. The family will be honoring Paul’s request to have all female pallbearers or as he affectionately referred to them, “Paul’s Bearers.” 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for the purchase of books at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Florida

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul G. Dreggors, please visit our floral store.