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1920 - 2007
Professor George J. Edwards
Professor George J. Edwards of Ashland passed away on Monday at the age of 86 following a six-month illness.
He graduated from Harvard University as a member of the Class of 1942, where he was a classmate of John F. Kennedy and heard Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill speak. After graduate studies at the University of Minnesota under noted author Robert Penn Warren, he studied and taught at New York University and taught at Williamette College in Salem, Ore., and at the University of Kentucky before coming to Ashland Community College in 1959, where he taught English for 38 years. After his retirement in 1991, Professor Edwards continued to teach part time in Ashland and in Portsmouth, Ohio, at Shawnee State University for a number of years. An avid supporter of the arts, Edwards founded the Ashland Area Art Gallery in 1971 and served as president of the board of directors for 10 years and was a member of the board until his death. He also created the annual art exhibit “Appalachian Artists” at Ashland Community College and served as its chairman from 1964 through 1990. He also had countless poetry and creative writing workshops over the years at ACC, where he continued to connect with former students and local writers and artists.
Professor Edwards was a devoted opera fan and especially loved Puccini and Verdi. He had nonsinging parts in the Metropolitan Opera a few times when he lived in New York. He also was a murder/mystery show buff and especially loved the “Murder She Wrote” series. Professor Edwards wrote a few unpublished murder/mystery novels over the years.
Professor Edwards was born in Montgomery, W.Va., where his mother, Lillian, was a schoolteacher and his father, Edward Owen Edwards, was an electrical engineer, musician, World War I pilot and shipbuilder.
He is survived by two sons, Edward Edwards of Ashland and Scott Edwards of Richmond, Ky.; his former wife, Barbara Kunkle of Portsmouth; a brother, James Edwards and wife Nancy of Colorado Springs, Colo., and their 10 children, including Ellen, John, Bill, Jim, Nan, Bob, Mike, Barbara, David and Debra and their spouses and children; a cousin, Wanda Comer of Virginia Beach, Va.; a nephew, Jimmy Comer of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; a daughter-in-law, Sally Thacker of Ashland, and her children, Traci and Steven; and countless former students and colleagues from more than 60 years of college teaching.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2007, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland by the Rev. Don Young. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation Inc., Office of Development, 1501 NW Ninth Ave./Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhomes.com.
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There are currently 11 condolences.
Gordon Billheimer
Tuesday May 29, 2007 at
11:34 AM
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I remember George and his brother Jim when they lived in Montgomery, WV. I would leave my bike chained to a tree in their yard which was in the same block at Montgomery High School which we attended. Amazing that two students from a little town were graduated from Harvard. Gordon Billheimer, Atty at Law, Montgomery WV 251236
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Debora Kovensky
Friday May 25, 2007 at
8:26 PM
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Dear Edward and Scott,
I was so sorry to hear that your father passed away. I have memories of when we visited Ashland when I was growing up. I remember that your father was always so kind and gentle. I wasn't able to see him when he visited Colorado since I live with my family in Eugene OR. I hope you both are doing ok. My prayers are with you both. Love Always, Your Cousin Debora
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David McKee, class of '92
Wednesday May 23, 2007 at
11:15 AM
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I just learned of the passing of one of my favorite and most respected professors before graduating from Ashland Community College in 1992. I am heartbroken. Prof. Edwards was a true gentleman in every sense of the word; he was kind, caring, funny, interested in his students. He was truly brilliant. I feel so lucky and honored to have known him and to have been his student for two classes. He helped me greatly and his influence on my life and my thinking continues to the present time. Thank you, Professor Edwards: You were the greatest. May God bless you and grant you peace and beauty with Him and also grant your family and former students solace in this time of great loss.
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Paul Schmidt
Sunday May 20, 2007 at
11:41 PM
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I was sorry to hear about the passing of Professor Edwards. I learned so much in his class in the late 80's. He was the consumate gentleman and a master teacher. May the Lord bless his good memory to our hearts.
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Robin Riley Wilson
Friday May 11, 2007 at
11:14 AM
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It was with great sadness that I read of the passing of Professor Edwards. He, and the other gifted teachers that I had through the years, greatly influenced my own decision to become an English teacher. Professor Edwards brought such joy into the classroom. It made it a great pleasure to be his student. I don't think he ever said the words, "No, that's wrong," in either of the two classes that I had with him. Instead, he would do his best to find something positive in our statements and then lead us onward to the right answer. In my mind, I can still hear him saying, "I asked you first," when I would repose a question that had just been asked of me by him. (This was always said with a grin and a twinkle in his eye...make that both eyes!) It was a blessing to be taught by such a wonderful teacher and man.
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Cam Nickell
Thursday May 10, 2007 at
1:17 PM
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I'll miss you, George. You were always there to answer any question, any time.
Cam
former student and admirer
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Sen. Walter Blevins
Wednesday May 9, 2007 at
2:53 PM
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My deepest sympathies to the family and friends. May God bless.
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Rose Ham Harrison
Wednesday May 9, 2007 at
10:50 AM
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We shall not cease from exploration
And at the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time
George gave me the gift of T.S. Eliot when I was a very young girl. I know his explorations have ended in a place of peace. My condolences to his family.
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Brenda Keathley, Past director of the AAAG
Wednesday May 9, 2007 at
9:57 AM
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George Edwards was a dear friend and an abiding councilor. His quiet presense brought dignity to any space one might be lucky enough to share with him. He did not age as others do. Though change being inevitable and undeniable, he seemed never to fear it. First of all of his great loves, was his family. He adored it when he was asked about his children. From those lips, to God's ear; May you know the peace and contentment which George wished for you. Above all else, know that he communes with Angels.
Sincerely,
B. Keathley
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Ed Steil
Wednesday May 9, 2007 at
8:05 AM
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One of the most influential professors I ever had. A most gentle and gentile man whose words were always the right ones for the time. I am glad I had the opportunity to have been involved in his classes.
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Scott Walter
Wednesday May 9, 2007 at
5:45 AM
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Ed,
I was sorry to read about your dad in the paper this morning. I really enjoyed his classes while attedning ACC. I will be praying for you, and your family .
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