Don Dressel

Donald A. Dressel, Sr. of Comer, GA passed away on Thursday September 1st, 2016 at the age of 83. Don battled cancer with his family and friends at his side. Throughout, he showed an amazing balance of grace and grit, living life to the fullest for several years longer than expected before God called him home.
Don spent his childhood in Connecticut working with his father's plumbing and heating business. He graduated from Manlius and then joined the Navy to serve on submarines. After leaving the service, he lived in Iowa for a while before moving back home to CT. There he met and married his first love, Leona Shiembob. Don and Lee had two children, Don Jr. and Kate, and they enjoyed 27 wonderful years of marriage before Lee succumbed to cancer.
Don was blessed to find another amazing woman to love, Ruth Hovey, who brought joy back to his life. They were married for 24 happy years. Don was at home with Ruth at his side when he passed.
Don loved to tease and get a rise out of folks. Despite a gruff exterior, he was prone to unexpected kindnesses and was always ready to pick up his tools and go fix what was broken for friends and family. He was an avid horseman, and had a deep and abiding love for books, animals, and the land that he passed along to his children. Don enjoyed going to auctions to look for antique clocks to restore and repair, and also repaired clocks for others.
After retiring from a long-time supervisory position with MaCom in Massachusetts, Don spent time with Ruth and their kids and grandkids, moved to Maine and then on to Florida. Ten years ago, they moved to Comer GA and settled in for good. Don spent those years watching over his daughter and son-in-law's horse farm where he spent as much time as he could with the horses, especially his favorite broodmare, Greetings, and the foals.
Don is survived by his wife, Ruth, his sister, Faye, his children and step-children; Don, Kate, Mike, Lynne, Heather, and Andy, his five grandchildren, and the horses at BlackWatch Stables who, for a long time to come, will be listening for his call and missing the scratches and carrots he always had for them.
Don felt that life was for the living and didn't want anyone to go to the fuss of a formal service. Instead, his family will honor his wish to return his ashes to the earth privately in the "mama pasture" so he can continue to watch over the mares and foals he loved so much.
Lord and Stephens, Danielsville is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com