Stephen A Edwards

February 28, 1956 – March 25, 2022

Stephen A. Edwards, passed away peacefully into the hands of the Lord after his lifelong battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on Friday, March 25, 2022, at the age of 66, in Daytona Beach FL, with the love of his family by his side.

Stephen was born on February 28, 1956, to Richard and Dolores (Marquez) Edwards in Denver, Colorado. He attended Northglenn High School and graduated the class of 1974. Stephen attended Loretto Heights College where he was a Music and Theatre major and he won an award for Best Performance by an Actor. He also attended the University of Colorado for a year as a Theatre major and played football.

Stephen married in 1976 to Diana Bowman (Smith) and had two sons Brian Smith and Joshua Smith. He continued to follow his passion for both the performing arts and football. Stephen played Semi-Pro football for the Colorado 76ers for several years and also starred in several plays for the Adams County Community Theater. In 1983, he had two boys with his second wife, Nancy Sundquist (deceased), Jonathan Edwards and Justin Edwards. Stephen also has a stepson Nicholas Weber with third wife Debbie Simpson, and adoptive son Marcus Edwards with fourth wife Lisa McGraw (deceased).

Stephen continued to follow his passion for sports and coached youth baseball and football. He loved running marathons and playing golf in his spare time. He was a lifelong diehard BRONCOS fan and anyone who knows him, knows how much he loved his music especially the BEATLES and AC/DC!

Stephen was a diligent worker, resilient figure in the face of adversity and a person who provided exemplary effort. He was employed at Par Microsystems as their system install/repair manager for several years and worked several driving jobs, one of them being at Larson Distribution alongside his father Richard Edwards. As his MS progressed, Stephen was no longer able to drive and worked customer service at Sinclair soon retired due to his MS.

Stephen’s sense of humor was second to none and he was as compassionate as he was funny. He loved pulling pranks and cracking jokes on everyone in his life. Always a comedian at heart. Selflessness and generosity were two traits that highlighted his personality. Even when ill, he could find the silver lining to keep pushing forward in any situation.

Stephen was immensely proud of his children and all their accomplishments, and he loved them all very dearly. Stephen adored all his nieces and nephews and was affectionately known as Uncle Steve…. never a dull moment when Uncle Steve was around. Rough housing was his specialty. He was such a goof ball and the life of the party. And boy did he love and adore all his grandchildren and loved being gramps.

Stephen aka Stevie is loved and adored by his uncles, aunties, cousins, and friends. Stephen was always there for his younger sisters and was the BEST BRO anyone could ever ask for. To know Stephen is to have laughed with or to have shared a kind word, whether a close friend or stranger. Being humbly social was a special gift and those around him were drawn to his infectious personality and smile.

We are proud to call him our son, brother, father, grandpa, uncle, cousin, and dear friend.

Despite Stephen’s challenges and his lifelong battle against MS he kept his sense of humor and came out a HERO and stayed strong until the very end!

Stephen is survived by his mother Dolores (Marquez) Edwards; sister, Paula Sutherland; 2 sons Matthew Smits and Brandon Sutherland, sister, Debbie Edwards; (deceased) niece Lisa Gaer (great nieces Kristin, Kailee, and great nephew Dakota Gaer) nephew, James Howard, sister, Patricia Edwards; nephew Anthony Edwards (great nieces Ashley and Emily Edwards), sister, Vivian Rivera; nephew Frank Rivera, eldest son Brian Smith; grandchildren; Mya Smith, Tommy Smith, Anthony Smith, Nevaeha Smith, great-grandchild Clementine Rose Smith, second eldest son Joshua (Katrina) Smith; grandchildren, Lexi Ray Smith, Tatum Smith and Kayden Smith (deceased), third eldest son Jonathan Edwards, grandchildren, Zander Edwards, Rhys Edwards, Ryder Edwards (due in July), and youngest son Justin (Samantha) Edwards; grandchildren, Alexis Edwards, and Jax Edwards.

Stephen was preceded in death by his father Richard Edwards, and sister, Debbie Edwards.

“Forever in our hearts you will stay! We Love you Bro!” “Go Broncos!”

“See you later Alligator, after while Crocodile!” “Love you more! “

“I have very fond memories as a young child with my dad, he was everything to me. I remember everything we ever did together. I’m glad that he is no longer in any more pain. I love you Dad.”

“We will love you and remember you every single day. We will carry on your legacy and make you proud!

Rest easy on the wings of eternity. God Bless…. until we meet again. I love you Dad!”

“We love you Stevie!”

There will be a Celebration of Life in honor of Stephen in Colorado on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Please contact family for more details.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Stephen’s memory to the multiple sclerosis foundation @

http://nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/HOM/Donate?_ga=2.113632194.458413523.1649610973-1692550859.1649610973&_gac=1.217196194.1649611091.EAIaIQobChMIr7bm2v-J9wIVFPnICh3PHAtPEAAYAiAAEgJ-tvD_BwE

OR

http://www.mscenter.org/