Brian Douglas Dreghorn, a former U.S. Army helicopter mechanic turned steel fabrication worker and beloved youth volleyball coach, has died at age 58 following a two and a half year fight with colorectal cancer. He passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, in Virginia Beach, surrounded by his family.
Born on March 26, 1968, in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Dreghorn graduated from Plymouth Area High School in 1986 before enlisting in the Army, where he spent three years working as a helicopter mechanic.
After his military service, he built a long career as a welder and forklift operator, most recently working at E.T. Gresham, where colleagues described him as reliable and hardworking.
Even as he underwent difficult cancer treatments, he continued showing up for work, a habit friends and family point to as proof of his determination.
That same determination carried over into his life outside the job. Dreghorn was a familiar face on the sidelines of youth and high school volleyball, coaching his daughter’s recreational and club teams before moving on to serve as an assistant coach for the girls team and head coach for the boys team at Tallwood High School.
Former players remember him for his patience, steady encouragement, and the mints he always seemed to have on hand during practice.
A Family Man Who Loved the Outdoors
Married to his wife, Dawn, for 26 years, Dreghorn was known for his constant puns and easygoing humor. He and his daughter, Kinsey Rose Dreghorn, shared a close bond built around concerts, outdoor adventures, and a running joke about searching for Bigfoot.
He also earned a reputation among family as an enthusiastic outdoorsman, spending much of his free time fishing and hunting, and he counted trips to Scotland and Disney World among his favorite family memories.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, along with three sisters, Lynn Perkins, Lisa Ames, and Lesley Salyer, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.
His parents, Douglas and Elaine Dreghorn, preceded him in death.
A celebration of life will be held at Family Choice Funerals and Cremations in Virginia Beach on Friday, September 4, from 3 to 6 p.m., with military honors rendered at 4 p.m. In place of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Hope for Life Rescue, the animal shelter where the family’s dog was adopted.
