Obituary of Edward L. Edwards

Edward L. Edwards of Tenino, Washington, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2023, at home after a five-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

 

Born in Los Angeles, California, on April 16, 1942, Ed spent his formative years in Yuma, Arizona.  After graduating from Yuma High School, he spent two years in college and then joined the U.S. Navy, where he became an aircraft mechanic and served aboard several aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era.

 

After his military service, Ed married Cathy Avila in southern California.  Soon after, they moved back to Yuma, where they had two children, Christopher and Tamara.  They moved to the Olympia, Washington, area during the 1970s; although they later divorced, they continued to raise their children jointly in unity.

 

Ed married his best friend and soulmate, Charlotte Cox, in 2020, after dating for several decades. They enjoyed numerous adventures together, one of which was a surprise birthday trip for Ed’s 65^th birthday to see the Alamo in Texas. Among other activities, they loved jet boating on the Rogue River in Oregon. On a trip to see grandson Teagan in Utah, they even ventured out to hunt dinosaur tracks in the desert. In addition, Ed was always up for a jeep ride in the sand and would have a permanent smile on his face as long as the V-8 engine was humming.

 

Ed had a love for anything mechanical, especially hot rod cars and jeeps.  He fulfilled his dream of owning and operating an auto repair business, Siggies Automotive, in Tumwater, Washington, from 1988 until he retired in 2005.  Ed was known by his customers and employees as an honest man who would go out of his way to solve their problems.  He was a master of the small block Chevy motor and will be missed by many who relied on him for their engine and car repair knowledge.

 

In retirement, Ed spent most of his time mowing the lawn or tinkering with his various Willy Jeeps or collection of classic cars and trucks--Chevys, of course.  He also enjoyed traveling to see his family, including impromptu trips to Idaho to trick or treat with his grandkids.  He loved to pull tricks on them and one year they answered the door to find Bigfoot looming over them.  Teagan knew right away it was his grandfather, but poor Taylor was just scared until Ed took off the mask. After this trick, Ed became known as “Grandpaw.” They had a wonderful time canvasing the neighborhood that year with such a scarry companion.  Also, in the winter, Ed could be found sliding down a hill with his grandkids and enjoying snowballs and hot chocolate.

 

Of all of Ed’s achievements, he was most proud of his children. Son, Chris, followed in his dad’s patriotic footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force.  After many adventures in the U.S. and around the world, Chris retired in 2016 with a rank of Major while based at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.  He and his wife, Maria, still reside in Ohio.  Daughter, Tammy, attended college in Rexburg, Idaho, where she met and married Doug Johnston.  Together they raised two children, Teagan and Taylor (for Ed to play with).  The Johnstons reside in Twin Falls, Idaho.

 

Ed will be missed by all who spent time with him.  He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cox-Edwards; son, Chris (Maria) Edwards; daughter, Tammy (Doug) Johnston; and grandchildren, Teagan and Taylor Johnston.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.

 

In memory of Ed, the family encourages people to make a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association for the continuing research of this neurodegenerative disease. This can be done online at https://www.lbda.org/donate/ or by mail to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.

 

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