Michael "Mike" Dragoo

Michael Edward Dragoo, 82, of Robinson, Texas, passed away July 8, 2025. A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday evening, July 15, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., Waco, Texas.

Mike was born November 7, 1942, in Paris, Kentucky, to Ralph Edward and Gladys Clay Brown Dragoo. WWII was ongoing and Ralph was in the Army Air Corp on a ship headed to Northern Africa when Mike was born. Ralph didn’t learn he had a son until he received the Red Cross notification on Christmas Day.

Mike grew up on West 2nd Street in the Residence Park neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio. When he wasn’t hanging out with neighborhood friends, his brother Donny, and their dog, Flash, he was running his early morning bicycle paper route or his afternoon ice cream cart. He graduated from John H. Patterson Coopertive High School in Dayton in 1960, where he spent alternating two-week periods between course work and working for National Cash Register (NCR). Immediately upon graduating, at age 17, Mike joined the Air Force. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Seargent.

Upon discharge, Mike worked for Curry Office Supply and then First National Bank in Waco, where he was started as a computer operator, a job he was hired for based on the results of an aptitude test. From there, he became a computer programmer, eventually working for 25 years at American Income Life Insurance Company, leaving as Chief Information Officer, to work another 19 years as Chief Information Officer at American Amicable Life Insurance.

Mike was an avid reader and enjoyed chess, photography, and art. He loved ping-pong and bowling (he once bowled 299) as well as playing racquetball, tennis, and basketball at the Waco YMCA. He played golf as long as his knees let him. He loved Formula 1 racing and all things archaeology and history, and what started with one small pig, turned into a large pig figurine collection.

Mike is survived by his first wife, Correne Lehmann Dragoo, whom he married in 1963 while stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas, and their children Tania Lynn Baker (John) of Riesel, and Michael Arthur Dragoo of Mart. He is also survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa Easter Dragoo, and her children Eric Griffin and girlfriend Lara Jessup of Robinson, Kyle Griffin and girlfriend Kaitlyn Pierce of Clifton, and Reis Griffin of Robinson, grandchildren Troy Edward Baker and Hayden James Griffin, brother Don Dragoo of Florida, mother-in-law Loretta Easter of Marlin and brothers-in-law Ronnie Easter and Donnie Easter of Temple, Ritchie Robins (Sheryl), Jason Robins (Karyn), Marty Robins (friend Whitney), all of Bruceville-Eddy, and sister-in-law Rhonda Robins of Waco, and godson Michael Martin. A number of nieces and nephews, as well as his doggos and kitties will miss Mike as well, including his beloved beagle, Scout.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in honor of Mike.