Claude Edwards

Claude Edwards passed away on June 23, 2012 at approximately 4:15 p.m. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Joanne Edwards, son Randy Edwards of Bartow, FL, daughter Betty Edwards (Sherry Haaf) of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Cindi Edwards of Bartow, FL, son Ernie Edwards (Luanne Edwards) of Jacksonville, FL, nine grand children and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Edwards Jones and his grandson Paul Jones both of Kentucky. Claude was born in Ary, Kentucky on January 27, 1922. He was legally blind and attended Louisville School for the Blind from the age of 9 to 19. He became a physical therapist and was a trainer for the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, for about a year each. He moved to San Francisco in 1944 and continued as a masseur for the Elk’s Club for 8 years. He met his wife Joanne through their involvement with the YMCA hiking and camping group. They were married September 20, 1952. They soon moved to San Mateo, CA, where they raised their 5 children. For 10 years he worked as a custodian at the elementary school there. In 1971 he moved his family to his childhood home in Kentucky. For twelve years he ran Edwards’ Market on Grapevine in Perry Co., and ran a vending business in Thelma in Johnson Co. In 1988 he and his wife moved to Bartow, FL where he enjoyed an active retirement, traveling and socializing in the Oak Hammock Retirement Mobile Home Park. In his later years he was an avid listener of talking books. His ashes will be placed at the Holiday Cemetery in Ary, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers please make gifts to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alzfdn.org).