Thomas S. Edwards

EYE SURGEON, ARMY GENERAL, ROTARY PRESIDENT AND COMMUNITY LEADER

On October 24, 2011 Dr. Thomas S. Edwards, (83) an Ophthalmologist, passed away following a two-year illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Lynda. Dr. Edwards was an Eagle Scout, a lifelong Rotarian and a leader of the medical, military and Jacksonville community.

Dr. Edwards served active duty in the United States Army in the Korean conflict. Later as a Reserve Officer, Dr. Edwards commanded the 345th Evacuation Hospital (in Jacksonville, Florida) and the 818th Hospital Center (commanding all of the medical reserve units in the south). Dr. Edwards ultimately achieved the rank of Brigadier General as Commander of the 818th Hospital Center. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit by the U.S. Army.

Dr. Edwards ran one of the largest ophthalmological practices in North Florida. He served as a lifelong Rotarian and was the founding President of the Mandarin Rotary Club. Dr. Edwards helped to found the Methodist Medical Center and Memorial Hospital. Among other leadership positions, he served as Chief of the Medical Staff at Methodist Hospital, President of the Duval Ophthalmological Society, and the Medical Eye Services of Florida. He also served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at Methodist Hospital, the Duval Medical Center (now known as Shand's Hospital) and the Department of Ophthalmology at Hope Haven Children's Clinic (now known as Nemours). He served as an officer and leader of the Florida Council for the Blind, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the U.S. Public Health Service and served as a consultant to the Veteran's Administration. Dr. Edwards was one of the founders of Jacksonville's "Low Vision Clinic" which serves the needs of the local vision impaired population. He was also one of the founders of the Pre-School Vision Screening Program in the Duval County Public Schools, also founding the North Florida Eye Bank. For his life-long service to the vision impaired, Dr. Edwards was awarded an Honorary Life Member in the Lions Club.

Dr. Edwards will be interred at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. He is survived by three children and three grandchildren: Jacksonville Attorney Thomas S. Edwards, Jr. (and his wife Julie), a Past President of the Jacksonville Bar, the state trial lawyers and member of Best Lawyers in America, Virginia (Ginny) Edwards (of Virginia) – a nationally known professional equestrian, and Richard Edwards (of Maryland) a career member of the United States Secret Service serving on protection duty in Washington, D.C. Grandchildren Tommy Edwards, Jerry Edwards and Jennie Edwards.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made in the name of Thomas S. Edwards M.D. to either the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60693 or the River Garden Foundation, 11401 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32258.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808. www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com