Corey James Trawick

LEDXINGTON - Corey James Trawick of Lexington, S.C. was tragically killed in an automobile accident on the evening of Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Corey was born to Jenny and Jimmy Trawick in Lexington County on May 21, 1982. Corey was a graduate of Lexington High School, class of 2000 and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) University, of Orlando. He was a lifetime member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, where he was baptized as an infant.

Corey and his late brother Brandon, who also died in a car accident just under 10 years ago, both shared an extremely rare, and still undiagnosed, retinal dystrophy. They were both found to have the vision impairment when they were just an infant and toddler, and as adults, they were both desperate to learn a diagnosis and cause. At the time of Brandon's death, in 2005, the National Eye Institute (NEI, a division of the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland) was awaiting Brandon's first visit for a complete clinical evaluation that was scheduled for two short days away. Unfortunately, Brandon would never make that appointment. Corey, however, was instrumental in efforts that resulted in the last minute procurement and donation of Brandon's eyes to the National Eye Institute for research.

In February of this year, Corey was able to help further that research by making a trip to the NEI for his complete clinical evaluation. He endured a very long battery of tests, exams, photos, etc to only learn from the doctors that they still are not sure what caused this unusual retinal disorder or what to call it. The National Institute of Health, with agreement and donation of DNA from affected and unaffected family members, made the decision to conduct a full exome/genome sequencing on the family to try to identify the never before seen retinal dystrophy. Since Corey's untimely death, Corey's parents have also generously decided to donate Corey's eyes to the National Eye Institute as well, as they know what it meant to their sons. Jennifer and Jimmy both also hope that their generous donation will help other family members that have also been diagnosed with or are yet to be diagnosed with the same retinal dystrophy.

Corey was preceded in death by his brother, Brandon Mitchell Trawick of Lexington; his maternal grandfather, Mitchell Arnold Waters of Beaufort; his paternal grandfather, Archie Trawick, Sr. of Lexington; his maternal aunt, Lisa Waters Simmons-Gardner of Walterboro; and, his maternal first cousin, Kevin Lee Waters of Walterboro.

Corey is survived by, his mother, Jennifer Waters Robertson (Lee) of Columbia; his father, James Calvin Trawick of Lexington; his brother, Justin Lanford of Lexington; his sisters, Brittany Lanford of Georgia and Michelle Trawick of Lexington; his maternal grandmother, Jennett Crosby Pearson (Walt) of Birmingham, Alabama; his paternal grandmother, Joan C. Trawick of Lexington; his maternal great-grandmother, Amelia Heape Waters of Beaufort; his paternal step-grandmother Jackie Trawick of Lexington; his nephews, Brayden Lanford of Georgia, and Tristan Lanford of Lexington; his niece, Eleeona Lanford of Mountain Rest; his maternal aunt, Melissa Anne Waters White (Johnny) of St. Marys, Georgia; uncle, Archie Trawick, Jr. (Sherrie) of Lexington; many cousins, extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the family's needs for funeral and burial expenses. Donations can be made to "Corey Trawick's Funeral Expenses" with GoFundMe.com, OR a memorial can be made in Corey's name to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness at Blindness.org. A graveside service for Corey will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Woodridge Memorial Park in Lexington. Arrangements are being handled by Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.