Donald Hamilton Dashiell, 78, a cherished husband, beloved brother and good friend and mentor to many, passed away peacefully at his home in Jacksonville, Florida on November 25, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Don was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 16, 1947. Family and career took Don to 8 states and 11 cities over the years. Don graduated from Stetson University in Deland, Florida with a degree in English. He started his long and illustrious career in life insurance, starting as an underwriter with Prudential Insurance in Jacksonville, and reached his peak as president of Companion Life, headquartered in Columbia, SC. After Companion Life, Don started his long-awaited retirement with his wife, Sara, on Fripp Island, SC. He and Sara also spent time in their cozy mountain cottage in Balsam, NC.

One of Don’s passions was travel and he was able to frequently travel the U.S. and abroad. Don loved music. He learned guitar, loved to sing and was the lead singer in his bands in high school and college. He was a voracious reader. He also enjoyed fine dining, intelligent conversation, and lots of laughter with good friends and family. Don loved the outdoors. He was happiest when he and Sara were scuba diving in Cozumel, hiking and camping in the North Carolina mountains, snow skiing in Utah or posting a good score after a round of golf with friends.

The most precious thing in Don’s life was his wife Sara, whom he pursued after a coin toss with his best friend 60 years ago. Don won the toss and married Sara, the love of his life. They built an idyllic life together and their relationship was a shining example of a couple that was not only deeply in love, but also best friends. This was obvious to all that either met them briefly or knew them well.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Hamilton Dashiell and Gloria Cammack Dashiell, and second cousin, William Benton Stansbury (Kimberly) of Baltimore, MD. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sara Huffman Dashiell; his sister Joan Dashiell Cullen and his good friend and bro-in-law Frank Cullen of St. Simons Island, GA; and first cousins Mark Ramsay (Deborah) and Douglas Ramsay of Baltimore, MD.

Please consider donating to the Parkinson’s Foundation in Don’s memory.