Jeff Darragh

Our fearless and bold leader, Harold Jeffers “Jeff” Darragh, 59, passed away on November 26, 2022, in Ft. Myers, FL almost one year after receiving the devastating news that he had glioblastoma, a stage 4 cancerous brain tumor. After a courageous battle and while surrounded by his loved ones he was called Home to be with the Lord.

Jeff was born in West Palm Beach on April 30, 1963 to Harold and Carole Darragh. Growing up on Miami Beach, his family purchased dilapidated homes and remodeled them, moving 27 times before he was 17 years old. On more than one occasion he came home from school only to discover the family had moved on to the next home. Original “fixer-uppers” before it became mainstream.

In working on these houses after school and on weekends with his father, a mechanic at Eastern Airlines, Jeff learned how to use every tool imaginable and could fix just about anything. That, coupled with exposure to his mother’s ability to identify and negotiate deals on property, nurtured what became his lifelong belief that no challenge was too big…“Anything worth doing, was worth overdoing.” His specialty was assembling raw land and envisioning neighborhoods where the concept of true community could be established and flourish. With an emphasis on excellence in customer service, this dream became a reality according to testimonials from residents of communities such as: Renaissance, Lexington, Worthington, Vanderbilt, Willow Creek and others.

Jeff’s fearless sense of adventure led him to become a pilot and catamaran captain, travelling the world in search of new projects and new adventures. Jeff’s strong love for our country and the freedom and opportunities the United States of America presents developed in him a desire to help others achieve their dreams and goals as well.

Of all of his accomplishments, however, Jeff would tell you that being a husband, a father and a new grandfather was his greatest source of joy, pride and inspiration. He was devoted to creating that same sense of community and belonging in his own family, by demonstrating his true compassion and selflessness in their times of need. His legacy will continue to live on through the many recipients of his love and be a reminder for us to be there for each other moving forward.

Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Joleen; his five children Courtney, Chloe, Caleigh, Caroline and Corban; his three grandchildren, Freyja, Konrad and Blair; his four siblings: Steve Blair, Carolyn Beatty, Kathy Hufner and Greg Darragh. He was predeceased by his parents.

The Celebration of Life will be held at one of the finest communities that Jeff developed, the Club at Renaissance Golf Course Community in Ft. Myers, FL at 4pm on December 12th, 2022.

It was Jeff’s desire to raise more awareness about glioblastoma so that families in the future would not have to experience the suffering of this incurable disease. He would be delighted for donations to be made in his family’s honor to the following organizations:

The Ivy Brain Tumor Center - https://www.ivybraintumorcenter.org/

Glioblastoma Foundation - https://glioblastomafoundation.org/

Camp Kesem - https://kesem.org