Sen. East Eulogized as a Man of Courage

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Sen. John P. East never swayed in his love of nation and God and left America “richer for having had him,” a pastor told mourners Tuesday at rites for the Republican lawmaker who committed suicide Sunday.

“He knew that eternal vigilance was the price of freedom,” said the Rev. J. Malloy Owen, pastor of Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church. “Although we are stunned and shocked at this tragedy, let us go from this place and praise God for this man of great strength and great courage.”