Preston Elijah Trower, III

Preston Elijah Trower, III, 82, a lifelong resident of Cherrydale Farm, Eastville, passed away peacefully at home. He was the son of the late Preston Elijah Trower, Jr. and Ellen Baxley Trower. Mr. Trower was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Eastville. An avid lover of nature, he served on the Virginia Wetlands Board for several years. He worked for many years as foreman for G.L. Webster. He served as Deputy Sheriff of Northampton County along with Kellam Doughty and Claude Shrieves for Sheriff B.O. Hamilton. He served as an officer for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. He also farmed and worked on the water. Mr. Trower is survived by his wife, Bonnie Mears Trower, children Rebecca T. Price and husband, John, of Warsaw, VA, Preston Elijah Trower, IV and wife, Kay, of Eastville, Katherine T. Warren and husband, Steve, of Machipongo, Jean T. Ames and husband, Charles Sr., of Exmore, Robert M. Trower and wife, Cynthia, of Machipongo; stepchildren, Jennifer J. Pruitt and husband, Jimmy, of Bloxom, Elaine Sharbor and husband, Tim, of Exmore, Rebecca J. Lusk and husband, Bo, of Cherrystone, and J.E.B. Johnson of Townsend. He is survived by a sister Ellen Preston T. Kellam and predeceased by a sister Henrietta T. Sanders. He is survived by 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Living his entire life on the seaside, Mr. Trower loved hunting, fishing and exploring the barrier islands. He loved learning about the Native Americans and their culture and became friends with many of them. He enjoyed searching for artifacts and collected them by combing nearby fields and beach shores. Throughout his life, he touched many lives by reaching out and helping others. During his later years, he spent much time enjoying his pond, ducks and geese. Most importantly, Mr. Trower loved being home with his wife and enjoying visits from family and many good friends. Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 2:00 pm by Rev. Robert G. Johnson. The service will be held at Poplar Hill Family Cemetery, Eastville, VA, where Mr. Trower will be buried beside his beloved grandfather, Preston Elijah Trower, Sr. Contributions may be made to the SPCA, P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418 or to Hospice of the Eastern Shore, 165 Market St. Suite 3, Onancock, Va. 23417. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore, VA.