Paul was a true gentleman who lived an honorable life. His funeral service will be held at Christ Church, Frederica on September 29, 2023 at 1:00. A reception for family and friends will be held in the Parish House immediately following the church service.
Paul was born on November 20, 1937, in the Brunswick, Georgia, hospital and grew up in Darien, Georgia. He was the first of three sons born to Paul Hamilton Ploeger Jr. and Winifred Bowers Ploeger. He had a happy and busy childhood typical of life in a small coastal town. Relatives abounded, and members of multiple generations participated in the family businesses. His grandparents, Paul and Louise Ploeger, were an important part of his early life.
Paul began school at Darien Elementary and continued his education in Darien through his freshman year at Darien High School. He then transferred to Glynn Academy in Brunswick. He was an honor graduate and speaker at Glynn Academy’s Commencement in 1955. After high school graduation he attended Marion Institute in Marion, Alabama, for a year. In 1956 he received a direct appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In June 1960 he graduated and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. During his service in the Navy, he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida; Beeville, Texas; Key West, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; and Norfolk, Virginia.
On June 20, 1964, Paul married Carole Dean Page of St. Simons Island in a ceremony at Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth-by-the Sea. They moved to Norfolk where Paul was serving on the Amphibious Warfare Board at Little Creek Naval Base. Daughter Claire Page was born in December 1965 in Norfolk, and son Paul Hamilton IV was born in January 1968 in Columbia, South Carolina.
When Paul left the Navy, the family moved to Columbia, where Paul worked as an engineer and systems analyst for Allied Chemical in Irmo, South Carolina. He began his career in banking in 1973 when he joined Citizens & Southern Bank in Columbia. In 1975 Paul accepted a position with American National Bank in Brunswick. He and Carole were pleased to be moving back to coastal Georgia. In 1983 Paul began his association with Southeastern Bank in Darien that lasted until his retirement in 2005.
Paul was baptized and confirmed in St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Darien and began serving as an acolyte when he was eight years old. For the past 48 years he was a devoted communicant of Christ Church, Frederica on St. Simons Island, serving as vestryman and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a willing volunteer for many church-sponsored activities and events.
His love for the game of golf began at an early age. He frequently played golf at Brunswick Country Club after school and on weekends. At the Naval Academy he was a member of the varsity golf team and played matches with major colleges and universities. Even before moving back to the coastal area, he regularly competed in the Golden Isles Invitational Golf Tournament at Brunswick Country Club. This special occasion was enjoyed by the Ploeger family for many years on the Fourth of July holiday. Over the years Paul was a member of Sea Palms Golf Club, Sea Island Golf Club, and Brunswick Country Club. At Sea Palms he won the men’s club championship twice. After retirement he relished the camaraderie of playing with the Sea Island Seniors. They pursued activities beyond the golf course, taking trips to points of interest and organizing the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Just as he began his golfing experiences at Brunswick Country Club, his final membership was there. He thoroughly enjoyed reuniting with long-time friends and making new ones. Even after he no longer played the game, he joined friends on Thursdays for lunch at the club.
Paul appreciated many types of music. He attended and supported musical events in the community, including the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, the Golden Isles Youth Orchestra, and the yearly productions of Handel’s Messiah conducted by his friend Barbara Meadows. Throughout the years, he and Carole attended a variety of shows. They were pleased to be front and center at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, when country music superstar and songwriter Alan Jackson was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame.
Paul was a member of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society and especially enjoyed attending programs highlighting the history of the coastal Georgia area. He was a member of the Brunswick Kiwanis Club and participated in projects designed to better the lives of children in the community. While living and working in Darien, he volunteered his time as a mentor for middle school students. After retirement he devoted hours to volunteering at Manna House in Brunswick. On the fourth Monday of each month, he and cohort Bascom Murrah were the “sweet tea guys” there.
One of Paul’s greatest joys was socializing with friends over meals. Throughout the years, he enjoyed being a member of several breakfast and lunch groups. He was a member of the Escort’s Club, a long-established local dinner club.
Paul was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Carole; his daughter Page Bugajski (Blaise) of Cumming, Georgia; his son Paul Ploeger IV (Patricia) of St. Simons Island; and grandsons Blake Bugajski and Jett Bugajski of Cumming. He is also survived by brothers Bill Ploeger (Alta) of Columbus, Georgia, and Captain Rob Ploeger, US Navy (Ret.) (Joyce) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; sister-in-law Claire Holt of Ellijay, Georgia; niece Alison Young (Richard) of Macon, Georgia; nephew Robert Ploeger (Ginger) of Virginia Beach; nephew Gray Holt of Ellijay; niece Katie Mawhinney (Zack) of Sugar Hill, Georgia; and cousin Laura Carrico of Raleigh, North Carolina.
The family is grateful for the strong and enduring support shown by friends and relatives during Paul’s extended infirmity. Gratitude is expressed to the competent and caring staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles and to the Martha Guild of Christ Church, Frederica. Deep appreciation is expressed to Jacqueline Frasier for her tireless and compassionate care of Paul and for her support of his family.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Ploeger family.
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