Harrison “Pug” Eugene Edwards passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2016, after a short battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Tamms, Ill., son of Virgil Owen and Aletha Faye Dillow Edwards. He and his wife, Pat, were married June 12, 1948.
He served in the Navy after having lied about his age to be able to enlist at the end of World War II. He was stationed in Hawaii.
He moved to St. Louis, where he was a meat cutter and member of Local 88. He left St. Louis and moved to a farm in Lenox. He purchased what was known as Wayne Dunlap’s Locker Plant in Licking. It became B & E Processing. He, his wife and family operated the business until his full retirement in 1987.
He was introduced to Jesus at a young age while in the Cub Scouts and was baptized Oct. 26, 1941, at First Evangelical and Reformed Church of Tamms, Ill. He was confirmed and became a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in St. Louis on Dec. 25, 1957.
He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church. After retirement, he and Pat spent many years with the group Laborers for Christ, traveling around the country in their camper and doing additions to and building churches. He was a member of the Licking Chamber of Commerce and was part of the early crew that cleaned the stands and set up for the annual PRCA rodeo. He was a member of the Texas County Republican Party.
He loved to travel, especially going west to see the mountains. He enjoyed spending time with family. He looked forward to his weekly card games with the guys, fall hunting trips to the deer woods with his sons and grandchildren and many trips to Lake Norfolk.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Pat; his parents; an infant daughter, Beatrice Jean Edwards; two sons, Perry Edwards and Bruce Edwards; an infant brother, Eddy Joe; a brother, Robert Edwards; two infant grandsons; and a granddaughter.
Survivors include his children, Paul Edwards of Elsberry, Nona Smith of Riverton, Wyo., Mark Edwards of Troy and Leann Green and Bryan Edwards of Licking; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Seay, Virgie Edwards and Judi Wilson; and a host of family members and friends.
Services are Saturday, June 18, at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor David Kettner officiating. Burial was in Boone Creek Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.foxfh.net.
