Gary W. Edwards

Gary was born on the 16th of November 1941, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Jeanette (Sonja) and Paul Edwards. He and Peggy, his high school sweetheart, were married after high school graduation and then attended Kansas State University together. Gary was on a baseball scholarship and graduated with honors with a degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation, he joined Continental Pipe Line Company, the pipeline division of Conoco, the beginning of a 38-year career that took him and Peggy on a journey which included 18 corporate moves and many amazing experiences. Gary was regarded as a mentor to younger employees and was widely respected throughout the oil industry. He retired from Conoco, Inc. as senior executive vice president of corporate strategy and development in December of 2001.

Following his retirement, Gary served on several corporate boards including Entergy Co (Lead Director), Sunoco and Sunoco Logistics. He proudly served for twenty years on the board of Houston Methodist Hospital. He was chairman of the Neurologic Institute at Houston Methodist, and was also closely involved with Dr. Stanley Appel in helping research a cure for ALS, the disease which claimed his mother’s life. He was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities and was granted the Lifetime Board of Stewards award. He was active in many Kansas State activities, including membership on the University Foundation Board and the Dean of Engineering Advisory Council. He was honored by the university as an Alumni Fellow and was inducted into the the Engineering Hall of Fame in 1989. Throughout the years, he also volunteered generously of his time to many organizations, including the Yellowstone Park Foundation, Theatre Under the Stars, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Bravo! Vail, and Spring Spirit Baseball.

Gary was so proud of his five grandsons and was happiest when he was leading (and, in later years, following) them down the ski slopes in Colorado, playing golf with them, or leading them on trips throughout the world. He was an avid golfer and proud of his eight holes-in-one. In later years, his goal became shooting his age, which he accomplished many times. He also loved bird hunting and organized two trips a year with his ExCon (former Conoco employees) group to go pheasant and quail hunting.

Gary is survived by his wife of 64 years, Peggy; daughters, Debbie Hance and her husband Britt, and Christy Hall and her husband Steve; five grandsons, Davis Hance, Peyton Hance, Matthew Hance, Ian Hall and Connor Hall; two granddaughters-in-law, Kittsie Klaes Hance and Madeline Carlson Hance; and brothers, Robert Edwards, Dr. William Edwards, and Thomas Edwards.

The family offers their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful medical staff and technicians who have ministered to his body and our souls during this journey.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 28th of June, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where Rev. Josef Klam, Executive Pastor, and Rev. Wick Stuckey, Senior Associate Pastor are to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mr. Edwards’ memorial be directed to the Chapelwood United Methodist Church Foundation Education Fund, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX 77024; or to The Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384.