ACV’s New Deputy has Deep Roots in Dowling Park ACV’s Deputy Sheriff, Greg Kastor’s ties to Advent Christian Village go all the way back to 1913. He is the grandson of Eula Setzer, one of the original five siblings to move to Dowling Park and live in the orphanage. Greg says working here feels like coming home. Greg grew up just down the road in Suwannee County — the son of Wilbur, Jr. and Geneva Kastor — and graduated from Suwannee High School. Immediately after high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served for four years. One of those years, he served on shore patrol in Iceland. That was his first taste of law enforcement. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Greg moved back to Suwannee County and took a job with the Florida Department of Corrections. Six months later, he took a job with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and operated an inspection station for four years. He calls each of these jobs stepping stones. Next, Greg became an officer with the Live Oak Police Department — a job he held for a number of years before becoming a Deputy with the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. He held that position until his retirement in 2007. In retirement, Greg says he and his wife, Kilinda, traveled some, and worked around the house, but he became restless and decided to go back to work. In 2010, he took a job with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and he and Kilinda moved to Florida’s westernmost county. He was working there when ACV’s former deputy, David Poole, called to ask if he would be interested in succeeding him as Advent Christian Village’s Deputy. David had planned to retire at the end of 2016 and was looking for a replacement. While an average day in the life of a Dowling Park Deputy doesn’t involve much adrenalin, Greg thought the job sounded perfect. In September 2016, just days after getting the ball rolling for what should have been a three-month transition; Poole was injured while riding his horse and was unable to return to active duty to finish out the year. A call was made to Greg, and two weeks later, he and Kilinda were “back home” in Suwannee County. The move was so sudden, says Greg, his uniforms had not yet arrived and he worked his first three weeks in Dowling Park wearing jeans. On patrol in Dowling Park: Deputy Sheriff Greg Kastor. “Working here is a blessing,” Greg says. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to work. Everyone keeps thanking me and waving. My arm is worn out from waving,” he smiles. Greg and Kilinda Kastor have two grown children. Their son, Brandon, is an officer with the Live Oak Police Department. Brandon and Jessica, their daughter, each have one child. PO Box 4305 • Dowling Park, FL 32064 (386) 658-5291 • 1-800-714-3134 ACV@ACVillage.net • TDD 1-800-955-8771 www.acvillage.net Village Life is a free publication from the Office for Resource Development at Advent Christian Village, Inc., Dowling Park, FL 32064. It is distributed periodically to inform readers about life at Advent Christian Village and to acknowledge Village benefactors. Village Life staff: Darleen Hinrichs and James Sutter The mission of Advent Christian Village is to express Christ’s love by providing compassionate care and quality comprehensive services for senior adults, families with special needs, and children in a secure, supportive residential setting and in the surrounding communities. Facebook.com/ACVillage Village Life 3
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