Edwards, Donald William, Sr. 1924-2007

EDWARDS, ADAMS, THOMASSON

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/20/2008 at 15:55:59

Donald William Edwards, Sr., was born on Dec. 18, 1924, in Fort Dodge, the son of Vinson Edwards and Dora E. (Adams) Edwards.

Don's family moved to Knoxville when he was a boy. He attended Knoxville schools and went to work in the coalmines as a young man. He eventually went to work for the City of Knoxville at the wastewater treatment plant. He retired in 1985 after 29 years of service to Knoxville.

On Sept. 18, 1952, he was united in marriage to Clara Jean Thomasson in Princeton, Mo. Don was a kind-hearted man, and loved spending time with his family.

He loved to stay busy and through the years he mowed yards and had a sharpening service and he and Clara remodeled homes for re-sale. Don and Clara also enjoyed country music and traveling to Drakesville for shows. He never met a stranger and people felt at ease visiting with Don.

He passed away on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at the Pleasant Care Living Center at the age of 82.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ralph Edwards and a sister, Alberta Robuck.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Clara; his children, Donna (Melvin) Temple, Pamela (Jerry) Rooney and Don, Jr. (Susan) Edwards all of Knoxville, Teresa Cordero of Fairfield, Calif., and Timothy Edwards of Des Moines; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and his siblings, Robert and Merrill Edwards, Florence Lauffer and Norma Jean Kane all of Knoxville; Ernie Wilfong of Omaha and Roberta McDonald of Knoxville and many other family members and friends.

A funeral service was held at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home on Nov. 13, 2007, with Pastor Leo Freel officiating. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Care Living Center Alzheimer's Unit.

The Knoxville Journal Express, December 10, 2007