Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameLtc. Col. Paul Drewry TROXLER 
[52282]
[52282]BirthMar 4, 1936, Athens, Regional Unit Of Athens, Attica, Greece [52282]
DeathDec 23, 2021, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia [52282]
BurialMar 3, 2022, Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia [52282]
FlagsUS Army, Vietnam
FatherCol. Paul Dexter TROXLER (1905-1990)
MotherLeonora Chambliss DREWRY (1905-2003)
Spouses
Marriage1961 [52280]
Obituary Online notes for Ltc. Col. Paul Drewry TROXLER
Mr. Troxler retired from the military, therefore he retains his title on his memorial as per military regulations.
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LTC PAUL DREWRY TROXLER, UNITED STATES ARMY (Ret.)
LTC (USAR Ret.) Paul Drewry Troxler, widower of the late JoAnn C. Troxler, died peacefully December 23, 2021, with family by his side, under the steadfast care of the nurses and staff of Azalealand Nursing Home and Hospice Savannah. Funeral Services will be held in person Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 2:00PM, at St. John's Church Savannah (Episcopal), 1 West Macon St., Savannah, GA, 31401. The service will also be livestreamed (stjohnssav.org). The family will receive friends at the Green-Meldrim house following the service. Burial arrangements for Arlington National Cemetery will be announced later.
Drew was born March 4, 1936, in Athens, Greece, to American parents, Paul D. and Leonora Troxler of Virginia. Drew was the eldest son of an international engineer and that life experience led to an adventurous childhood overseas exploring the ancient ruins of Greece and Tripoli, Libya. This extraordinary early life fostered his knack for learning foreign languages (Greek, French, Italian, Arabic and a bit of Vietnamese) and formed his gregarious personality. He attended 4 different high schools and graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown, PA, Class of '54.
A veritable Renaissance man, Drew was ever faithful to God, Country and family. His deep faith comforted him throughout life and sculpted his character. He served the church through the Vestry, the Men of St. John's, and as a civil engineer reviewing restoration of the roof and parapets of the parish house, officially known as the Green-Meldrim House. He was a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Kappa Alpha Order.
Drew honored his family's long tradition of military service beginning with VMI (Class of '58), where he followed his father's and great uncle's footsteps and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was married, commissioned upon graduation, and first stationed at Yorktown and later Fort Benning. In 1963 he worked for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Savannah, GA, and then took a job with a private company in North Augusta, SC. It was there he worked on the Lynes Parkway design. He spent 30 years in private consulting, engineering and construction and industrial development firms in Augusta and Savannah, GA, including Union Camp Corp. Branigar Division developing Skidaway Island, the GA Ports Authority as Asst. Dir. Engineering, Planning & Maintenance; followed by 20 years with U.S. Dept. Navy NAVFAC as a structural engineer at NSB Kings Bay, GA, and EFA CHESAPEAKE- WNY – Washington, D.C., aka the Naval Yard. He specialized in civil and structural engineering, including port construction, deep water berths; drydocks, explosive handling wharves; dredging, rail, container crane interface, warehouses, highways, bridges, water supply and sewerage; land development and engineering & construction operations, and acquisition and management. One particularly fun assignment of his was working on the design and construction of new hangar doors for Marine One.
In some ways, his military experience began while growing up as an "army brat," with tours in Europe, Asia and Africa, and continued throughout his life. Whether he was a reservist, or on active duty, or a veteran, he utilized his professional skills and military leadership training to uphold his duty and to advocate for his brothers in the Army Reserves, especially the 319th Army Transportation Corps out of Augusta, GA. During the mid '80's to early '90's he was the USAR AD US Army Port Construction in Somalia and Korea. From 1968-69 he was the USAR Vietnam Trucking Company Commander–Line Haul Combat Operations.
Drew is best known as the commander of the 319th Transportation Co., who call themselves "Troxler's Truckers." In 1968 The 319th Army Reserve unit was called to active duty in Vietnam and henceforth these men became his brothers and sons. They were ambushed seven times while hauling 92,375 S./Tons of supplies more than 1.1 million miles. They received multiple Campaign Credits and a Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army). Individual members of "Troxler's Truckers" earned three Purple Hearts and16 Bronze Stars, including three with V for valor. The 319th was selected to represent the U.S. Army Reserves in a lithograph of the Vietnam era for its service. Two photographs of the 319th, including one of Drew on convoy, grace the walls of the Pentagon. In 2018, the 319th was awarded US Army Transportation Corps Hall of Fame status. Drew received the award on behalf of all generations of the unit. He and his men were responsible for five of the thirteen streamers attached to the 319th Transportation Company Guidon.
"Drew-Daddy" was a devoted husband to JoAnn, his late wife of 60 years, and was still mourning her death from January of this year. He was also a devoted friend, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition to his wife, Drew was predeceased also by his parents. He is survived by his brother Robert C. Troxler of NYC; sister Anne T. Hoover of Alexandria, VA; two daughters: Chambliss T. Stevens (Mark) of Savannah, and Mallory T. Lehn (Jesse) of Louisville, TN; two granddaughters: Meredith S. Hester (Jonathan) and Mary Lehn; two grandsons: Turner Stevens and John Drewry Lehn; and one great-grandson, Greyson C. Hester who always gleaned the biggest smiles, as well as three nephews, a niece, and many treasured cousins and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. John's Church Savannah, One West Macon Street, Savannah, GA, 31401, or to Virginia Military Institute, P.O Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450.
The family is especially grateful for the wonderful care given by Nicole Spencer and Tamika Fleming, as well as the expert care of the nurses, CNAs and all the staff of Azalealand.
Inscription
VIETNAM
U.S. ARMY
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
BRONZE STAR
CIVIL ENGINEER [52282]
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LTC PAUL DREWRY TROXLER, UNITED STATES ARMY (Ret.)
LTC (USAR Ret.) Paul Drewry Troxler, widower of the late JoAnn C. Troxler, died peacefully December 23, 2021, with family by his side, under the steadfast care of the nurses and staff of Azalealand Nursing Home and Hospice Savannah. Funeral Services will be held in person Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 2:00PM, at St. John's Church Savannah (Episcopal), 1 West Macon St., Savannah, GA, 31401. The service will also be livestreamed (stjohnssav.org). The family will receive friends at the Green-Meldrim house following the service. Burial arrangements for Arlington National Cemetery will be announced later.
Drew was born March 4, 1936, in Athens, Greece, to American parents, Paul D. and Leonora Troxler of Virginia. Drew was the eldest son of an international engineer and that life experience led to an adventurous childhood overseas exploring the ancient ruins of Greece and Tripoli, Libya. This extraordinary early life fostered his knack for learning foreign languages (Greek, French, Italian, Arabic and a bit of Vietnamese) and formed his gregarious personality. He attended 4 different high schools and graduated from The Hill School in Pottstown, PA, Class of '54.
A veritable Renaissance man, Drew was ever faithful to God, Country and family. His deep faith comforted him throughout life and sculpted his character. He served the church through the Vestry, the Men of St. John's, and as a civil engineer reviewing restoration of the roof and parapets of the parish house, officially known as the Green-Meldrim House. He was a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Kappa Alpha Order.
Drew honored his family's long tradition of military service beginning with VMI (Class of '58), where he followed his father's and great uncle's footsteps and earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was married, commissioned upon graduation, and first stationed at Yorktown and later Fort Benning. In 1963 he worked for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Savannah, GA, and then took a job with a private company in North Augusta, SC. It was there he worked on the Lynes Parkway design. He spent 30 years in private consulting, engineering and construction and industrial development firms in Augusta and Savannah, GA, including Union Camp Corp. Branigar Division developing Skidaway Island, the GA Ports Authority as Asst. Dir. Engineering, Planning & Maintenance; followed by 20 years with U.S. Dept. Navy NAVFAC as a structural engineer at NSB Kings Bay, GA, and EFA CHESAPEAKE- WNY – Washington, D.C., aka the Naval Yard. He specialized in civil and structural engineering, including port construction, deep water berths; drydocks, explosive handling wharves; dredging, rail, container crane interface, warehouses, highways, bridges, water supply and sewerage; land development and engineering & construction operations, and acquisition and management. One particularly fun assignment of his was working on the design and construction of new hangar doors for Marine One.
In some ways, his military experience began while growing up as an "army brat," with tours in Europe, Asia and Africa, and continued throughout his life. Whether he was a reservist, or on active duty, or a veteran, he utilized his professional skills and military leadership training to uphold his duty and to advocate for his brothers in the Army Reserves, especially the 319th Army Transportation Corps out of Augusta, GA. During the mid '80's to early '90's he was the USAR AD US Army Port Construction in Somalia and Korea. From 1968-69 he was the USAR Vietnam Trucking Company Commander–Line Haul Combat Operations.
Drew is best known as the commander of the 319th Transportation Co., who call themselves "Troxler's Truckers." In 1968 The 319th Army Reserve unit was called to active duty in Vietnam and henceforth these men became his brothers and sons. They were ambushed seven times while hauling 92,375 S./Tons of supplies more than 1.1 million miles. They received multiple Campaign Credits and a Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army). Individual members of "Troxler's Truckers" earned three Purple Hearts and16 Bronze Stars, including three with V for valor. The 319th was selected to represent the U.S. Army Reserves in a lithograph of the Vietnam era for its service. Two photographs of the 319th, including one of Drew on convoy, grace the walls of the Pentagon. In 2018, the 319th was awarded US Army Transportation Corps Hall of Fame status. Drew received the award on behalf of all generations of the unit. He and his men were responsible for five of the thirteen streamers attached to the 319th Transportation Company Guidon.
"Drew-Daddy" was a devoted husband to JoAnn, his late wife of 60 years, and was still mourning her death from January of this year. He was also a devoted friend, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition to his wife, Drew was predeceased also by his parents. He is survived by his brother Robert C. Troxler of NYC; sister Anne T. Hoover of Alexandria, VA; two daughters: Chambliss T. Stevens (Mark) of Savannah, and Mallory T. Lehn (Jesse) of Louisville, TN; two granddaughters: Meredith S. Hester (Jonathan) and Mary Lehn; two grandsons: Turner Stevens and John Drewry Lehn; and one great-grandson, Greyson C. Hester who always gleaned the biggest smiles, as well as three nephews, a niece, and many treasured cousins and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. John's Church Savannah, One West Macon Street, Savannah, GA, 31401, or to Virginia Military Institute, P.O Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450.
The family is especially grateful for the wonderful care given by Nicole Spencer and Tamika Fleming, as well as the expert care of the nurses, CNAs and all the staff of Azalealand.
Inscription
VIETNAM
U.S. ARMY
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
BRONZE STAR
CIVIL ENGINEER [52282]
Obituary Online notes for Mildred JoAnn (Spouse 1)
Joann Clark Troxler
d. January 5, 2021
On January 5, 2021, JoAnn Troxler died peacefully with her devoted husband, Drew Troxler, and family by her side at Habersham House, Savannah, GA.
JoAnn was born November 21, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Robert E. Lee High School where she met some lifelong friends who joined her in attending South Georgia College where they were active in the Drama Club. JoAnn was a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at Fishweir Elementary School where she taught 3rd and 4th grade.
It was at a Christmas Party 62 years ago where she met her beloved Drew. JoAnn took advantage of the piano and played Christmas carols while other guests crowded around. Drew was home from college at VMI where he had been well trained by The Glee Club as well as routine cadence. They entertained guests by his singing and her accompaniment and thus began their lifelong duet. Once settled in Savannah, GA, with their two daughters in elementary school, JoAnn restarted her teaching career at Gadsden Elementary, Romana Riley School and East Broad Magnet School. As a gifted teacher to those students needing a different approach to reading and math, and one who rewarded children for reaching goals, she was often recognized around town by her former pupils. She always greeted them with delight and interest.
JoAnn loved to travel and always enjoyed a good road trip, especially to visit family, shop for antiques, pick strawberries, drive to Lexington for a VMI game (or just to catch the beauty of the landscape). She persuaded Drew to take their children and grandchildren on the ultimate road trip to England as part of the entourage for the St. John's Church Choir.
JoAnn served her community by leading her daughter's Brownie Troop, sharing her years of classroom experience with new teachers, advocating for her students, supporting the Business Women's Guild and being a docent at the Green-Meldrim House, the parish house of St. John's Episcopal Church. For fun, she loved to spoil her grandchildren and play Bridge. The Covid-19 pandemic restricted her opportunities to gather and she truly missed her Bridge lady friends. Her grandchildren loved the trips to the museums and monuments, late night movies and midnight jaunts to the bookstore for the latest Harry Potter book, and they remember how she made them each feel extra special by her efforts to prepare their favorite meals and make any occasion grand or at the very least more fun.
She is predeceased by her mother, Mattie Louise Clark Bledsoe of Tarpon Springs, FL, father, James Homer Clark from Barnesville, GA, stepfather, Peyton Bledsoe, and younger brother Ronald D. Clark, and many dear friends from Jacksonville, FL, North Augusta, SC, Fairfax County, VA, and Savannah, GA.
She is survived by her loving husband, Paul Drewry Troxler, daughters Chambliss Stevens (Mark) and Mallory Lehn (Jesse), grandchildren Meredith Hester (Jonathan), Mary Lehn, Turner Stevens and John Lehn, her two faithful dogs, Peter Parker and Mary Jane, as well as many extended family and friends she held dear. The family expresses gratitude to all the caregivers at Habersham House and to Savannah Hospice for their comfort and compassion.
A memorial service will be held outdoors in the courtyard of St John's Episcopal Church Savannah, on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with masks and social distancing required.
You are invited to view the funeral service of Mrs. Troxler by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances may be made to St John's Church, 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.
https://www.gamblefuneralservice.com/obituaries/joann-troxler [52284]
d. January 5, 2021
On January 5, 2021, JoAnn Troxler died peacefully with her devoted husband, Drew Troxler, and family by her side at Habersham House, Savannah, GA.
JoAnn was born November 21, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Robert E. Lee High School where she met some lifelong friends who joined her in attending South Georgia College where they were active in the Drama Club. JoAnn was a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at Fishweir Elementary School where she taught 3rd and 4th grade.
It was at a Christmas Party 62 years ago where she met her beloved Drew. JoAnn took advantage of the piano and played Christmas carols while other guests crowded around. Drew was home from college at VMI where he had been well trained by The Glee Club as well as routine cadence. They entertained guests by his singing and her accompaniment and thus began their lifelong duet. Once settled in Savannah, GA, with their two daughters in elementary school, JoAnn restarted her teaching career at Gadsden Elementary, Romana Riley School and East Broad Magnet School. As a gifted teacher to those students needing a different approach to reading and math, and one who rewarded children for reaching goals, she was often recognized around town by her former pupils. She always greeted them with delight and interest.
JoAnn loved to travel and always enjoyed a good road trip, especially to visit family, shop for antiques, pick strawberries, drive to Lexington for a VMI game (or just to catch the beauty of the landscape). She persuaded Drew to take their children and grandchildren on the ultimate road trip to England as part of the entourage for the St. John's Church Choir.
JoAnn served her community by leading her daughter's Brownie Troop, sharing her years of classroom experience with new teachers, advocating for her students, supporting the Business Women's Guild and being a docent at the Green-Meldrim House, the parish house of St. John's Episcopal Church. For fun, she loved to spoil her grandchildren and play Bridge. The Covid-19 pandemic restricted her opportunities to gather and she truly missed her Bridge lady friends. Her grandchildren loved the trips to the museums and monuments, late night movies and midnight jaunts to the bookstore for the latest Harry Potter book, and they remember how she made them each feel extra special by her efforts to prepare their favorite meals and make any occasion grand or at the very least more fun.
She is predeceased by her mother, Mattie Louise Clark Bledsoe of Tarpon Springs, FL, father, James Homer Clark from Barnesville, GA, stepfather, Peyton Bledsoe, and younger brother Ronald D. Clark, and many dear friends from Jacksonville, FL, North Augusta, SC, Fairfax County, VA, and Savannah, GA.
She is survived by her loving husband, Paul Drewry Troxler, daughters Chambliss Stevens (Mark) and Mallory Lehn (Jesse), grandchildren Meredith Hester (Jonathan), Mary Lehn, Turner Stevens and John Lehn, her two faithful dogs, Peter Parker and Mary Jane, as well as many extended family and friends she held dear. The family expresses gratitude to all the caregivers at Habersham House and to Savannah Hospice for their comfort and compassion.
A memorial service will be held outdoors in the courtyard of St John's Episcopal Church Savannah, on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with masks and social distancing required.
You are invited to view the funeral service of Mrs. Troxler by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances may be made to St John's Church, 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.
https://www.gamblefuneralservice.com/obituaries/joann-troxler [52284]