THOMAS EDWIN EDWARDS JR.

1932-2017

Thomas Edwin Edwards Jr., age 84, of New Philadelphia, formerly of Uhrichsville, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2017, at the Truman House Community Hospice in New Philadelphia, following a period of declining health.

The son of Thomas Edwin Edwards Sr. and Estella Frances (Fox) Edwards, Thomas was born July 24, 1932 at Lock Seventeen, O. In 1950, he graduated from Uhrichsville High School and then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Kent State University.  Thomas served in the United States Army-Signal Corps from 1953 to 1961 during the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant.  He was employed at New Philadelphia City Schools and Indian Valley Local Schools as an elementary teacher and Jr. High teacher for 29 years until his retirement in 1991.  He was also employed at Sears for 11 years having retired again in 2008.

Thomas was a lifelong member of the First Moravian Church of Uhrichsville, a current member of the Board of Elders and he taught Sunday School for many years and sang in the choir.  He was a 35 year member of the Clayland Lions Club where he served as past president and was a Melvin Jones Fellow recipient.  Thomas played trumpet and guitar in several local bands and gave guitar lessons for 20 years.  He enjoyed acting and singing in several productions of the Deersville Community Players.

On September 21, 1952 at the Uhrichsville Presbyterian Church, Thomas married his high school sweetheart, Alexandra “Tana” (Sedares) Edwards, who survives of the home.  Also surviving are their children Jim (Judy) Edwards of Alliance, Eva (Tom) Wolfe of Westerville, Connie Young of Uhrichsville and Doug (Bonnie) Edwards of New Philadelphia; sister Marlene (Byron) Shark of Lakewood, Colorado; nine grandchildren Nicole (Eric) Brown, Vince (Kaitlin) Edwards, Sara (Jared) Shaw, Brent (Lindsey) Wolfe, Melissa Young, Ty (Jessica) Young, Michelle (Cory) Sproul, Jessica (fiancé Eric) Edwards and Nathan Edwards; fourteen great grandchildren; sister-in-law Nelda Sedares and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Thomas is preceded in death by his in-laws Gus and Eva Sedares; son-in-law Bob Young; daughter-in-law Penny Edwards and brother-in-law Sonny Sedares.

Funeral services for Thomas will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday June 20, 2017 at the First Moravian Church of Uhrichsville, with the Rev. William Rinderknecht and the Rev. Bill Surber officiating.  Burial will follow at Fry’s Valley Cemetery.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m., on Monday, June 19, 2017, at the Uhrich-Hostettler English Funeral Home, Inc., at Uhrichsville. The Clayland Lions will conduct services at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Moravian Church of Uhrichsville, 315 N. Water St., Uhrichsville, O., 44683; Imagine Missions, c/o Park Christian Church, 236 Miller Ave, Dennison, O., 44621 and the Truman House Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave., SW, New Philadelphia, O., 44663.

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