Elwood C. Brewster, 95, formerly of Dataw Island S.C., died Friday, June 12, 2026 at Vitas Healthcare Hospice in Viera, Fla.
Mr. Brewster was born in Norfolk VA to the late Emmett and Allie P. Brewster on Dec. 17, 1930. He was predeceased by his wife Vera and his sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Ed Hurd of Virginia Beach, VA.
Left to mourn him are son David Brewster of Rockledge FL, son Keith Brewster and daughter-in-law Lynn Heasley of Rockledge, Fla., niece Karen Ratcliffe and her husband Michael Ratcliffe of Radford VA, his sister’s children Judi Bowen and Charles Hurd (Ann), and many other beloved nieces and nephews.
As a youth, Elwood held iconic 1940s jobs including newspaper delivery boy (tossing rolled papers from his bicycle) and soda jerk and was a member of the Marine ROTC in high school. After graduating in 1949, Elwood worked as a bank teller until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in October 1950, where he served as a radio operator for the 429th Air Refueling Squadron. He was awarded medals for Good Conduct, Korean Service, United Nations Service and National Defense Service.
Elwood claimed he would have continued in the military if it weren’t for meeting the love of his life, Vera Duncan of Danville on a summer visit to Myrtle Beach while on leave from Langley Air Force Base. After that ember sparked, he opted for an honorable discharge in 1954 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. On their honeymoon in March 1955, they impulsively drove all the way to the end of Florida, then on a whim hopped a day flight to Cuba! By the time they made it back home to Virginia, they had spent nearly every penny, but it led to many happy memories and a happy marriage of 59 years, until Vera’s passing at their home in 2014 (where Elwood lovingly cared for her during her final years).
Elwood’s career was spent at Texaco, where he earned several certificates of achievement and accepted promotions that relocated his family often – to Richmond, Va., Fayetteville, N.C. and Summerville, S.C. When the next posting was to be in Bermuda, he uneasily turned it down at the request of his wife and sons. So, when reassigned again soon after, he knew accepting that post was non-optional, and thus the family settled into their long-term home in Plantation, Fla. in 1975. There he served as Distribution Terminal Manager in charge of the company’s regional hub at Port Everglades, and both sons completed high school. During those years, Elwood and Vera often accompanied their son Keith to Fort Lauderdale Strikers soccer games, and the family regularly hosted out-of-state relatives at their Florida pool home.
Following his retirement from Texaco in 1993, Elwood and Vera moved near son David in South Carolina, landing at Dataw Island where they enjoyed volunteering, golfing, taking their boat out, socializing with neighbors and planning many short trips around the country. A favorite memory with son David was a trip to Wyoming and the Grand Tetons when Elwood was in his 70s. Elwood also enjoyed traveling to see United Launch Alliance launches in Florida, where son Keith worked as a ULA pneumatics engineer.
In 2020 as he turned 90, Elwood accepted an invitation from Keith and Lynn to come live next door to them in Florida. Ever independent, he was an excellent cook and enjoyed grocery shopping, cooking, watching rocket launches and hosting guests right up until his final week. Elwood was a man who was universally admired by those who knew him, with many commenting on his likability and great sense of humor. A devoted dad and uncle, he will always be remembered with a smile by those who loved him.
Visitation will be held at Mullins Funeral Home in Radford Friday, June 26, 2026 at 10 a.m. with burial service to follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. Flowers may be delivered care of Mullins Funeral Home.
The Brewster family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory.
