Son, grandson of former D.S. killed

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

New Hanover County, North Carolina

R. David Doolittle Jr., son of former Iowa District Superintendent Ronald D. Doolittle, was killed Sunday, April 3, in North Carolina when his bicycle was struck by a car. David was riding in a bike lane with his son, Ronald David "Trey" Doolittle III, at the time of the accident. Trey's bike was also hit. Trey was hospitalized, but passed away April 4 from his injuries.

Trey was 17. David was 47.

State troopers told WECT TV in Wilmington that the driver of the car, 63-year-old Thomas Grooms, was charged with felony death by motor vehicle, felony driving while impaired, open container, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Grooms was not injured.

The accident happened about 9 a.m.

Grooms and the Doolittles traveled south on River Road in New Hanover County when Grooms' vehicle swerved into the bike lane and struck the father and son, deputies said.

David, who worked in the health care management industry at Onslow Memorial Hospital, was described as an avid sportsman and enjoyed competing in triathlons and spending time with his sons.

He was a wonderful son, father, and brother, according to his obituary in the Wilmington StarNews.

Trey attended Salem Baptist Christian School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and had attended New Hanover County Public Schools since the fifth grade.

He was scheduled to graduate from New Hanover High School, where he was a member of the track team, in June 2011. Trey had been accepted and was planning to attend East Carolina University in the fall.

According to his obituary, Trey excelled in art, loved surfing, and hanging out at the beach with his friends, his dad, and his brothers, and enjoyed competing in triathlons.

Trey will be remembered for his infectious smile and his positive attitude.

In addition to parents/grandparents, Ronald and Rita (Turner) Doolittle, David and Trey are survived by twin sons/brothers, Tyler and Turner Doolittle of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother/uncle Jeffery Doolittle of Byron Center, Michigan; maternal grandfather/great-grandfather, Howard William Turner of Ringgold, Georgia; and the mother of Trey, Tyler, and Turner, Joy (Davis) Doolittle of Charlotte, North Carolina. Also surviving are Joy's parents, Ed and June Davis of West Columbia, South Carolina (Cacye First Church of the Nazarene), and Joy's siblings, Laura Lusk, Susan Haithcock, Nadine Groves, and Cary Davis.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Port City Community Church.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Tyler and Turner Doolittle Educational Fund, 15029 Superior Street, Charlotte, NC 28273.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.

Note: Ronald Doolittle Sr. served as district superintendent in Iowa from 1998-2004. Now retired, he also served as pastor of Nazarene churches in Georgia (Rossville First, Savannah Central), Illinois (Kankakee First), South Carolina (Columbia First), Wisconsin (Milwaukee First), Michigan (Chapman Memorial), and Tennessee (Nashville Benson Memorial, Gray's Chapel).

Prayer is requested for the entire Doolittle family during this difficult time.

 

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