Paul H. Wellborn

On Wednesday morning, July 1, 2026, Paul Harry Wellborn passed peacefully from this world and onto his next adventure. He was 87. The only child of the late Paul Harvey and Marjorie Hudson Wellborn, Paul was born in Wilmington, Delaware on April 17, 1939 and grew up on 30th street, where he graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1956. After his sophomore year at the University of Delaware, he joined the Army and completed a year of active duty. He remained with the Delaware Army Guard until 1965, spending many hours filling the Delaware Bay with government munitions.  Paul enjoyed his time in the Army and was proud of his service.

While in the military, Paul discovered his love of teaching others. He returned to the University of Delaware, pursued a degree that would lead him to a long teaching career, and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. After several unsuccessful attempts to find a date to the Delt Weekend dance, a last-minute suggestion from his good friend Bobby Martin introduced Paul to Margaret “Peggy” Miller.  They began dating and never looked back. Paul graduated from U of D in June of 1961, and he and Peg married on June 16, 1962, after she received her bachelor’s degree from the same university.

“Mr. Wellborn” began his teaching career at Forwood Junior High in the fall of 1961 and later became one of Concord High School’s fifteen charter teachers when the school first opened in 1969. He taught Social Studies there for thirty-two years, retiring in 1999. “Mr. Wellborn” was beloved by his students for his engaging and humorous teaching style. 

As others may have known him, he was “Coach Wellborn”. While attending college, Paul developed his life-long passion for soccer when, as a student at the University of Delaware he discovered, “you could get an “A” in gym by playing a sport.” Over the course of 40 years, “Coach Wellborn” coached for various teams, including Concord High School, Christiana and Tatnall in the 80’s and 90’s. He was deeply involved with the Kirkwood Soccer Club as well, helping to coach his son’s and even grandson’s teams. As a mentor, he helped students and athletes make the connection between hard work and reaping the rewards. Paul’s colleague, Bob Bussiere, would declare him “Professor of Soccer” for his love of the game and his ability to inspire that love in the athletes he coached. 

His children will forever remember their father’s sophomoric humor, the numerous cross-country family camping trips undertaken on a shoestring budget, and his love/hate relationship with the Phillies. His grandchildren cherish the time “Granddad” spent doing something special with each of them, the baseball games and camping trips, the visits to museums and amusement parks. All of us will remember his fondness for American roots music (especially bluegrass), his keen intellect, quick wit, lifelong obsession with electronic gadgets and his talent for connecting with people from all different walks of life.

In addition to his parents, Paul is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Peg Wellborn; three sons, Stephen Matthew, David Andrew and Matthew Paul Wellborn; and his grandson, Steve Albright.

He is survived by daughters, Karen Albright (Garry) and Eileen Adams (Jim Ficca); son, Christopher Wellborn (Jill Creswell); five grandchildren, Gregory Albright, Benjamin Adams (Cathy), Timothy Wellborn, Gordon Adams (Samantha), Kevin Wellborn; and five great-grandchildren, Lily, Skyler, Fynn, James and Laynie.

The family would like to thank the staff of both Compassionate Care Hospice and Wellspring at Juniper Village of Newark for their support during this difficult time. 

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 14 from 10:00 - 11:00AM with service immediately following at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.  Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Paul may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice - Amedisys, Inc., 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816 or to the dementia awareness organization of your choice.

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