Mr. Rogers Henry East, 89, loving and devoted husband of Dorothy Lee East and a resident of Bloxom, passed away Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. Born Sept. 12, 1930, in Smithtown, Long Island, N.Y., and raised in Eastville, Va., he was a son of the late Samuel Henry East and Rose Willis East.
Following graduation from Northampton High School, Mr. East enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a proud veteran of the Korean War. Soon after returning to the Shore, Mr. East was hired as a part of the crew that constructed the original Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. He traveled as far as Florida, posting the infamous seagull signs, many of which still guide the way today. Upon completion of the CBBT, he began working as a custodian for the U.S. Postal Service, in Onancock, retiring after nearly 20 years. Mr. East then continued his custodial career at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center, in Painter, and later, at Food Lion, in Oak Hall. He was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church, in Parksley, where he and Dorothy were married Dec. 17, 2000.
Mr. East’s greatest priorities in life were his car, his dog, and his sweetheart, Dorothy. Throughout their marriage, Mr. East was a loyal and dedicated husband and caregiver to Dorothy. Since her move to the nursing home a few years ago, he continued his unwavering commitment to her, having visited every single day. Though his presence will be greatly missed by loved ones, they will keep his memory alive in the many cherished moments shared.
In addition to his beloved wife of nearly 20 years, he is survived by his daughter, Nancy L. Morgan and wife, Tracy Alford, of Jacksonville, N.C.; stepchildren, Karen M. Dempsey, Sgt. Ret. and fiancé, Larry G. Conser, of Parksley, Lynn D. Reiss and husband, Donald, of Madison, Va., Thomas J. Deuter and wife, Patsy, of Oak Forest, Ill.; sister; Margaret Morgan, of Henderson, Nev.; brother, Peter “Pete” East, of Cape Charles; grandchildren, Harold “Will” Deuter III and wife, Erica, Karen Deuter II, Randy Reiss and wife, Shannon, Bill Reiss and wife, Arlene, Thomas A. Deuter, Danielle Bettinardi and husband, Jon, Miranda Kraus and husband, Jamie, and Frank Deuter; great-grandchildren, Harold “Liam” IV, Chloe, Kody, Maddy, Naomi, Adrian, Jonathan, and Sophia; stepdaughter-in-law, Geraldine “Gerrie” Deuter, of Atlantic, Va., and her children, and their families; several nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, his dog “Rex,” who was his best bud. Other than his parents, he was predeceased by his stepson, Harold W. Deuter II; sister, Geraldine Small; and brother, Sydney East.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. G. Wayne Parsley officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 154, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
