Douglas Stephen Wilbanks

Douglas Stephen Wilbanks, 62, of Eustis, Florida, passed away on April 25, 2026. Born May 1, 1963, in Winter Park, Florida, Douglas will be remembered with deep respect and enduring affection by all who knew him.

Douglas graduated from Eustis High School and went on to earn an Autobody Tech Certificate from Lake County VoTech, reflecting a steady determination to learn practical skills and provide for those he loved.

For many years, Douglas worked as a security guard, a role that suited his dependable nature and quiet sense of responsibility. He also spent 30 years bringing joy to others as Santa Claus—an enduring testament to his warmth, his gift for laughter, and the simple, sincere pleasure he took in brightening someone else’s day. He proudly served as Santa for the Shriners, for the Paisley charity each year, and for the Dance Dynamics dances in Leesburg, where he became a familiar and beloved presence to many families.

Douglas often joked that he had been a Viking in a past life, and anyone who knew him could see the truth behind the humor—his larger-than-life personality, his strength, his storytelling spirit, and the way he filled every room with laughter and presence made it easy to believe.

On October 15, 1986, Douglas married Bobbi Jane Bronson, the love of his life. Their marriage stood as a lasting bond at the center of his world, grounded in devotion and the kind of steadfast love that shapes a family’s strength.

Douglas found happiness in the everyday things that make life rich: fishing, gaming, cooking, music, and, above all, time with family. He had a natural way of drawing people in—through humor, good conversation, and the comfort of his presence—and he will be deeply missed for the joy he brought into ordinary moments.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Bobbi Wilbanks; his son, Terry Alexander Wilbanks, Michael Dietiker, Austin Humphrey; his daughter, Abagail Rose Wilbanks; his grandchildren, Aubrie Nichole Wilbanks, Adrian Bayne Wilbanks, Bentley James Wilbanks, Amelia Rose Humphrey, and Ayson James Pauline LaNack Humphrey; and his siblings, John Wilbanks, Connie Wilbanks, Nancy Banuelas, and James Wilbanks.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1–4 PM on May 9, 2026, at Gwinn Caldwell Park in Umatilla, Florida.