David Green Brewer

David Green Brewer, 88, of Salem, passed courageously into the arms of his Lord after suffering with Alzheimers and the complications it brings on Thursday morning, January 30, 2014. The family would like to thank Richfield Recovery and Care Center, The Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Good Samaritan Hospice for their care and support. David was born in Fries, Virginia to the late Nora Alma Shupe Brewer and Fielden Fred Brewer. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Sybil (Billie) Toncevich and Lincoln Brewer and his wife, Nancy. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 66 years, Louise Bise Brewer; their daughter, Mary Alma Brewer Loritsch and husband, Toby; grandsons, Todd David Loritsch and wife, Sara, and Michael Ryan Loritsch and wife, Olivia Brooke; special niece, Linda Haga Croy and her daughter, Krista; nephew, Jim Haga and wife, Sandy; brothers-in-law, Harry Bise and wife, Lucille, and Stanley Toncevich; as well as other nieces and nephews. David loved cars and drove a cab all around southern Virginia as soon as he could drive. He joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1944. After he married Louise on August 15, 1948 and, together, had a child, he moved his family to Detroit, Michigan to study auto mechanics at the Ford Motor Company. He then accepted a mechanic position in Alexandria, Virginia with Cherner Shirlington Company. He enjoyed his work very much and also served as a union shop steward. He later went on to study refrigeration mechanics and worked on large refrigerated trucks for Hertz-Penske. He retired from Hertz-Penske and he and Louise moved to Salem, Virginia to be closer to their daughter and grandsons. They enjoyed attending and supporting all the interests of their grandsons, serving in their church, Calvary United Methodist, square dancing, participating in neighborhood watch programs, planting gardens, tending to his and his neighbors yards, and traveling. David was a kind man who never met a stranger. He would always lend a hand and was happiest helping others. He loved his country and was honored to be a Navy Veteran. He could proudly trace his heritage back to Lewis Brewer of Devonshire, England 1760 and enjoyed family reunions. His grandfather had a large farm and was very proud of being able to give land to build Liberty Hill United Methodist Church in Fries. In his youth, he loved living across from and attending that church and developed a strong love of music, especially gospel music. He always enjoyed retuning to the Fries area that he loved so much. A visitation in Salem will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. An additional one hour visitation in Fries will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014 beginning at 11 a.m. in the Providence United Methodist Church. He will then be laid to rest following a graveside service at 12 p.m. in the church cemetery with the Rev. Cameron Smith, pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Salem, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimers Association at 3959 Electric Road in Roanoke, VA 24018 or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. The Brewer family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441, and Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville, 276-228-3121.