Staff Sergeant Edgar Ernest Edwards began his eternal march with the Lord on October 17, 2020.  He was the son of Otis and Callie Edwards, born October 22, 1958 in Barnwell, South Carolina.

Edgar is survived by his children Courtney Tierra Edwards and Andrew Carlton Edwards, along with devoted friend & former wife Fran Tate.  He also leaves behind his parents Otis and Callie Edwards of Jacksonville, FL; loving sister and brother-in-law Linda (Artillious) Holmes; nephews Artillious Holmes II and Michael Parker; niece Logan Holmes, and a host of Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and Friends.  He was preceded in death by his sister  Sandra Shine.

Edgar took his education seriously and was always wanting to learn more and more.  He was a graduate of Ribault High Senior High School Class of 1976 and member of the Trojan Marching Band.  Also, he graduated from the Academy of Health Sciences, United State Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Class of 1977.  Moving on he later graduated from the Army Service School, Radiology Technology Studies, University of Maryland, Class of 1994.  Rounding out his professional education he completed the work to earn credentials as National Board Certified Radiological Technologist 1994.

Staff Sergeant Edwards served 20 years in the United States Army as Medical Radiological Technologist.  Joined the United States Army on October 26, 1976 in Jacksonville, FL.  Attended military basic training/Medical Radiology training – Fort Sam Houston, TX – 1976-1977.  He got a chance to do work across the world including: Fort Stewart, Georgia – 1977-1979;  Fort Wainwright, Alaska – 1979-1980;  Walter Reed Army Medical Center – Washington, DC – 1980-1989;  2nd General Hospital/Landstuhl Army Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany – 1989-1991;  Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), Tampa, FL – 1991-1996.  The end of an acclaimed career, including being involved in The Persian Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield,  came when he retired from the United States Military  on  November 1, 1996.    He stayed the course in healthcare working at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, FL  in the department of Radiology as a Supervisor 1993-2013.

Among his professional education and credentials he earned these awards as a solider:

Meritorious Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal(5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development With Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award).

In addition to being a member of Northside Church of Christ Tampa, FL, his other hobbies/interests included traveling/vacationing with family, watching movies and documentaries (his favorites were military related).  THE two of his proudest achievements were the birth of his cherished children Courtney Tierra and Andrew Carlton.

Edgar Ernest Edwards will be laid to rest with full military honors at Sarasota National Cemetery on Friday October 30th, 2020 at 10:30am.  The Honor Guard and live bugler from American Legion Post 159  and  the US Army Funeral Honors Team will bid their final salute on that day at that time.    Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater Florida is handling all arrangements.

Acknowledgements:

On behalf of Courtney and Andrew, thanks to everyone that have sent their condolences, prayers, made phone calls with words of comfort, and may have sent cards.