Twelfth Generation

307. Donald Rex TROWBRIDGE I was born on 26 February 1931 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁷⁵ He died on 12 February 2015 at the age of 83.²⁷⁵

Obituary Notes: "Donald Rex Trowbridge, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, just two weeks shy of his 84th birthday, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born in Tomah, Feb. 26, 1931, the son of Douglas Rex and Evelyn (Quam) Trowbridge. He graduated from Tomah High School in 1948, and later joined the U.S. Navy, serving through Korea and Vietnam, with several deployments overseas.

He met and married Anna Jane Peay while stationed in San Diego in 1953, and their marriage was later sealed in the Chicago LDS Temple Sept. 10, 1994. They raised four children in Hawaii and California, until his navy retirement as Chief Warrant Officer in 1971.

They moved to Wausau in 1972, where they purchased the Roto Rooter Sewer and Drain Service franchise, which has been operated by the family ever since. Don was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Navy Club and Elks Club and played for years on a bowling league at Coral Lanes, which he continues to sponsor to this day. He had a great love of fishing, inherited from his mother, which he has passed on to his sons. His greatest love, beyond family and church, was golf and all the many dear friends who have been his golfing buddies through the years.

Don was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During his term as bishop in the ‘90s he took particular joy in working with the youth, forming close bonds of friendship with many that lasted a lifetime. He was a great example of love and faith to all who knew him.

He and his wife, Anna, traveled all over the United States in their motor home through the years, first planning their trips around golf courses and later around LDS temples, never quite achieving their stated goal of visiting every one.

Don will always be remembered for his laughter, his beaming smile, his wonderful hugs, humor, generous spirit and abounding love for his family and his friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings; but his survived by his wife, Anna; his children, Cheri Trowbridge, Linda (Tom) Malone of Sandy, Ore., Michael (Cindy) Trowbridge of Raleigh, N.C., and Donald Trowbridge II; his four grandchildren, T.D. (Chevelle) Malone, Molly (Chris) Miskow, John (Kate) Trowbridge and Mat (Stephanie) Trowbridge; his four great-grandchildren, McKensie, Finn, Maggie and Metta; along with many nieces, nephews, beloved in-laws, family, and friends.

His funeral will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at the Latter Day Saint Church, 5405 Rib Mountain Dr., Wausau. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. There will also be memorial celebration of Don’s life In Tomah, on May 16, where he will be interred at the Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for donation to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight and the Latter-Day Saint Missionary Fund."

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Donald Rex TROWBRIDGE I and Anna Jean PEAY were married in 1953 in San Diego, San Diego County, CA.²⁷⁵ Anna Jean PEAY was born (date unknown).

Donald Rex TROWBRIDGE I and Anna Jean PEAY had the following children: