Eley, Brook Davis

Brook Davis Eley, 29, of Pulaski, died Tuesday, April 17, 2007 in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Brook was born March 14, 1978 in Pulaski. He is survived by his parents, Randolph D. and Donia S. Eley, of Pulaski; a brother and sister-in-law, Hunter R. and Lael S. Eley of Santa Monica, Calif.; his infant nephew, Bowden Hunter Eley of Santa Monica, and a special person in his life, Bianca Thomas of Broome, Australia. His surviving grandmother, Mildred Hunter Eley, lives in Colonial Heights. Other relatives include his uncle and aunt, James H. and Lavelva B. Stevens of Pulaski; aunt Katherine Walton of Colonial Heights; and other relatives in Roanoke, and Halifax County, Virginia.

All of Brook’s life was an adventure. He graduated from Pulaski County High School in 1996. During his time there he was a member of the PCHS Cougar Football Team, the tennis team and the chess team. Brook was a member of the National Honor Society, and also served his classmates as their Class President.

Brook developed a strong interest in languages, and attended the Governor’s School for German Language. In 2001 Brook graduated from the College of William and Mary where he was a memerb of the Pi Lamda Phi Fraternity, with a double major in German and Philosophy. In his last semester in the College, Brook took a class in sailing, which set the course for the next few years of his life. He found a passion for sailing the open seas, and so he packed his duffel bag, bought a one-way ticket to Florida, and set out in search of entry level jobs on sailboats and yachts.

That adventure led to Brook becoming an engineer for large vessels, and he recently earned his 500 ton U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, and the International Captain’s License. In Brook’s latest job in the yachting industry he served as First Officer to the Captain aboard the Yacht Orion and spent the last year sailing the waters of Southern California, British Columbia, Canada and Mexico. Brook was devoted to his family and friends, he loved travel, gourmet cooking, and he had become a strong and resourceful young man.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 20, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, where Brook was a lifetime member, 301 N. Jefferson Street, Pulaski with the Rev. Hugh Kilgore, the Rev. William K. Neely, and the Rev. J.N. Howard officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Family Life Center of the First United Methodist Church and at the home at 746 Prospect Avenue, Pulaski. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Jason Foundation and to the Pastors Discretionary Fund at the First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Jefferson Avenue, Pulaski, Va. 24301. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneral home.com. Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons, Pulaski.