Mr. David Edward "Eddie" Trail

Mr. David Edward (Eddie) Trail, loving father and grandfather, devoted husband and friend to all…entered heaven healed and free on April 8, 2016. Born on March 16, 1958 in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of Lorraine Trail Dower and the late David D. Trail. Eddie grew up in Tampa, FL. He spent many years in Salisbury, NC where Eddie met the woman he would love and cherish so well for all the rest of his days. Everyone loved Eddie. He made it his life’s work to ensure others felt noticed and loved. He was a good man…a collector of clowns, a helpful neighbor, a poker player, and affectionately known as “Cookie Monster” & “Joe Cockanoochie” to all the kids. Eddie loved children and animals as they returned that love in full measure. Perhaps the innocent instinctively knew he was a trusted, faithful friend. Eddie was quiet and unassuming, yet able, without words, to let you know how much he cared about you. He embraced a hard work ethic, after two decades with Dobbs Airline Food Service he went to work for Mantissa Corporation, where he worked for 16 years until he was physically unable to due to his declining health. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for 15 years, facing every procedure with extreme grace and dignity. Eddie never lost his sense of humor, at home or in the hospital. He made the nurses laugh. His bright blue eyes sparkled with life to the end. And his bride, who was his soulmate who he adored, was always there, fighting by his side. Eddie is survived by his wife Joanne Trail; his children, Melissa trail (Steve); Michelle Trail (Bryan), both of Tampa, FL and Graeme (Jennifer) Lay of Orlando, FL; his grandchildren, Alexis, 19; Natalia, 15; Lennon, 11; Ethan,7; Carter, 2; and Dani,1; his mother, Lorraine Dower and step-father Jim of Bradenton, FL; his step-mother, Barbara Trail of Tampa, FL; his siblings, Kim Macknew , Thomas Trail, and Dawn (Anthony) Smith; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, David D. Trail he was preceded in death by his precious granddaughter, Abigail. May Eddie’s legacy of compassion and kindness live on in all of us who will miss this good man with all our hearts…until we meet again. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2 PM – Saturday (April 23) at the Summersett Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Eddie Clark officiating. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Wake Forest Baptist and Rowan Family Physicians for offering excellent medical care and for treating Eddie with gentleness and respect. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his dearest friend Cassie and the whole Mantissa Corporation for all their love, support, and generosity. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider honoring Eddie’s life by making a gift to the American Cancer Society, Rowan County, 4 A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Mr. David Edward "Eddie" Trail

March 16, 1958 - April 8, 2016