Drewey H. Pridgen II "Hamp", age 74, of Melbourne, FL went to his heavenly home on Monday, August 22, 2022. A celebration of life will be hel d on Sunday, September 4, 2022 beginning at noon EST at Paradise Beach in Melbourne, FL ( click link for more info ).

Hamp was born in Geneva, AL on August 6, 1948 to the late Drewey H. Pridgen Sr. and Mae Ernestine Wills Pridgen. His ancestors helped settle this part of S outheast Alabama , where Hamp spent his childhood , graduating from Geneva High School, Class of 1966. H e moved to South Walton and was self-employed in the construction business . He completed his education at Troy College in 1977 with a degree in Marine Biology. U pon completion of his degree , he worked on a research platform off the coast of Panama City Beach, then as the Walton County Mosquito Control Director before moving to Tallahassee and beginning work at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 1987. Hamp continued his career in environmental clean-up in Polk County and Orange County, FL before retiring .

Hamp was most at home on or near the water, living a lifetime of sailing adventures including completing the bucket list goal of the Great Loop with his l ife- partner, Denise. An explorer at heart, Hamp also enjoyed fishing, travel , and most recently metal detecting – ultimately valuing the countless relationships he made along the way . His life motto and giving heart are further demonstrated by his May 2020 Facebook post where he stated : "We are all on the loop of life. Birth to death, it matters little if we got the cheap ticket o r the POSH, as long as our wake splashes kindness and compassion on heaven ' s gate".

H amp was preceded in death by his son, Drewey H. Pridgen III; father, Drewey H. Pridgen Sr; and brother, Mar k Pridgen.

He is survived by his mother Mae Ernestine Pridgen of Geneva, AL; life-partner Denise Chmielewicz of Melbourne, FL; daughter Sarah Rebekkah Heaton (J.P . ) of Panama City, FL; honorary son Frank ie Chmielewicz (Laura) and honorary daughter Heather Chmielewicz of Melbourne, FL; and the apples of his eye, his grandchildren Catherine, Luke, AJ and Riley; brother Keven Pridgen (Maria) of Costa Rica; two sisters, MaryAnn Bixby (Jim) of Hartford, AL and Julie Lambert (Mark) of Stillwater, OK; a s well as numerous nieces , nephews, and wonderful friends.

In keeping with Hamp's spirit, it was his decision to donate life as an organ donor so that others may live it .

In Spring 2023 his memorial reef will join his son's reef in Mexico Beach , FL . Creation, deployment, and monitoring of the reef system is provided by the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association .

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Hamp's memory made to the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, www.mbara.org .