Donald Stewart Driggers, 74, of Oxford died on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at his home.
He was born in New Jersey on June 14, 1944, son of the late Byrley Floyd Driggers and Catherine McCormick Gearheart. Don grew up in South Brunswick, New Jersey. He graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina and went on to graduate from Rutgers Law School in New Jersey. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar Association Nov. 26, 1969. Don went on to practice law at Turp, Coates, Essl & Driggers in Hightstown, NJ for over 45 years, becoming the managing partner.
Don was an avid duck hunter, which led him to become Chairman of the Mercer County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited for several years. However, Don’s passion was Labrador retrievers. He loved to train for and compete in AKC Retriever field trials throughout the country. He successfully trained several Amateur Field Champions, Hombre, Axle and Felon. He gave back to the sport by judging, including two National Amateur Championships and a National Open Championship. He was revered as a “fine dog man” and has mentored many new people to the sport.
Don was President of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee, a position he held for 5 years. He was inducted into the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame in 2013. He has been past President of The Talbot Retriever Club, South Jersey Retriever Club, and the Shrewsbury River Retriever Club. He was a board member of the Labrador Retriever Club.
Don is survived by his sister Nancy Kelvy of Jackson, NJ; his life partner of 16 years Phyllis McGinn of Oxford and her family Kelly McGinn-Cordes and Bobby Cordes; Kirsten Poole and Rocky Poole and granddaughters Perrin Poole, Emma Poole and Louisa Mae Cordes whom he fondly called the “Bean”.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 12:00 PM at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peachblossom Road, Easton, MD 21601. Burial will follow in Oxford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s honor to The National Bird Dog Museum, 505 TN-57, Grand Junction, TN, 38039 or to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.
For online tributes, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.
