John Lawrence Somers Jr., 80

CRISFIELD - John Lawrence Somers Jr., of Crisfield, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield. He was 80. Born in Crisfield on Oct. 3, 1928, he was a son of the late J. Lawrence and Amy Adams Somers. A graduate of Crisfield High School class of 1945, he was the owner and founder of Somers Crab Pots and was the owner of the former Clarence Sterling & Son Marine Hardware, both Crisfield. His memberships include the Chesapeake Masonic Lodge 147 AF&AM in Crisfield, where he was Past Worshipful Master and a 33rd Degree Mason, Eastern Shore Shrine Club, where he was active in transporting children to the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia, Past President of the former Crisfield Rotary Club, Past President of the Somerset County Parent Teachers Association, Crisfield Elks Lodge 1044, Boumi Temple, Arabian Horse Association, and a 2008 inductee in the Waterman's Hall of Fame. John was an avid Baltimore Orioles fan, a horse lover, and an active supporter of his community. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marlene Somers of Crisfield; four children, Patsy Ellen Somers of Crisfield, Margie Morgan and husband Cliff of Crisfield, Lawrence Somers and wife Karen of Marion, and Bruce Somers and fiancé Tanna Johnson of Marion; a step-son, Gary Kitching and wife Karen of Crisfield; three grandchildren, Monique Welch and husband Billy of Marion, Kevin Somers of Hampstead, N.C., and Megan Somers of Parsonsburg; a great-grandson, Billy C. Marsh of Marion; and an aunt, Ellen Tawes of Crisfield. Funeral services and a Masonic Memorial Service was held Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. The Rev. Bob Daniels officiated. Interment was in Sunnyridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, LSCARS, P.O. Box 406, Crisfield, MD 21817 or to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Send condolences to the family via www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com.