Edward A. Drumwright

VIRGINIA BEACH — Edward Alton Drumwright, 85, of Glen Arden Road, died Nov. 9, 2000, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. A native of Norfolk, he had lived in Chesapeake before moving to Virginia Beach.

He was a son of the late Charles Edward and Mamie Williamson Drumwright, and the loving husband of Evelyn Fluker Drumwright. He retired in June 1973 as a supervisor at the Norfolk Naval Air Station Rework Facility. He was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church; past member of the Knights of Pythians; and a member of the National Association of Federal Retirees.

In addition to his loving wife, Evelyn, he is survived by a son, Ronald F. Drumwright of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Nancy D. Bailey of Chesapeake; three step-sons, Sonny Pritchard, Fred Consolvo and John Pritchard, all of Virginia Beach; a stepdaughter, Alice Consolvo of Kingwood, Texas; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Eastminster Presbyterian Church by Pastor Robert E. Hobson Jr. Burial will follow in Rosewood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3229 MacDonald Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

—(Fri.) Nov. 10, 2000 | The Virginian-Pilot

__________________________________________________

In his youth, EDWARD "Alton" DRUMWRIGHT relished books and stories about aviators.

He was 11 years old when Charles Lindbergh, a hero to many American boys of that era, conquered the Atlantic crossing to Europe. The wonder of flight made an impact that lasted a lifetime: Alton would eventually own a home located on a street named for his boyhood hero and would enjoy a career -- if not flying them -- servicing military aircraft for the Norfolk Naval Air Rework Facility, formerly Norfolk Naval Air Station's Overhaul and Repair (O and R) Department.

Surviving his first wife, love bloomed again when, nearing 80, he had a chance encounter with a one-time high school sweetheart during a daily stroll at a local mall. It was their first meeting in almost 60 years. They soon married, with the story of their reunion featured on a local TV station's news show.

The newlyweds then set out to make up for lost time, embarking on sea cruises, including one to Alaska, and a tour of the Grand Canyon and several western states.

A jack-of-all-trades with a keen knowledge of many subjects, his post-retirement years were anything but idle or sedentary. He busied himself with cooking, housework, shopping, and home, lawn, and auto maintenance. He found time to write letters to his grandchildren, shop for birthday and Christmas gifts for all of them, and plan and prepare holiday meals for his extended family. He and first wife Hazel occasionally traveled, visiting far-flung relatives and touring landmarks.

__________________________________________________

"For it took an hour of hard work before Tom could force his machine to climb high enough to be above the howling wind and rattling rain. But then the Air Monarch found herself in a calm atmosphere, above the clouds with the sun shining, and in that peaceful region, far away from the hurricane and the lashing sea, she sailed along on her journey."

–Excerpt from TOM SWIFT CIRCLING THE GLOBE (published 1927). Tom Swift novels were a favorite of the young Alton.

__________________________________________________

Obit and bio supplied by C. E. Bailey