Obituary of Dr. Warren Arthur DeBord, PhD

Dr. Warren Arthur DeBord, PhD, of St. Petersburg, FL peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, March 30th, 2019 surrounded by his loving family and friends.  He was 85 years old. He was a Professor at USF and retired as Dean of the College of Business at USF, St. Petersburg. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Denise Traum DeBord, and 5 children.

He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War before achieving his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Florida and his PhD in Marketing from the University of Illinois.

Dr. DeBord worked as co-owner of Aquadyne boat company in Largo, Florida, and then as the Senior V.P. and later President of Sperry-Boom of Florida.  He was a Professor of Business at USF for 35 years and retired in 2004 as Dean of the College of Business at USF, St. Petersburg campus. 

He was a longstanding member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Snell Isle, where he was a founding member and officer of the church’s Knights of Columbus Council 10157, rising to the 4th degree of the order.

Dr. DeBord was an avid sailor and member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and loved traveling with family and friends around the world.

Warren is survived by his wife of 33 years, Denise Traum DeBord.  He leaves behind five children: Michael DeBord and wife Sue of Tellico Plains, TN; Kevin DeBord and wife Ilene previously of Clearwater, FL; Todd DeBord and wife Patricia of Ringling, OK; Jennifer Coleman and husband Flip of Clearwater, FL; and Brady Traum and wife Terry of Madison, AL.  He was predeceased by his son Daniel Traum of Clearwater. FL

His grandchildren include Jena Austin, Tiffany and Brandy DeBord, Kristopher DeBord, Madeline and Ellen Coleman, and Ian and Grace Traum. 

A visitation will be held from 9-10am with funeral mass to immediately follow at 10am Friday, April 5, 2019, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd NE, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in St. Petersburg for a family memorial in Warren’s honor.