Eddy Handley

Eddy Handley passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, April 21 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Jo Ann Wilhelm Handley, and their three children and their families: Edie and Joe Beachboard of Palos Verdes, California; Terrie and David Hansen of Southlake, Texas; and John and Michelle Handley of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Lindsey Beachboard (18), Kyle Beachboard (16), Thomas Lonergan (14), Heidi Handley (10) and Austin Handley (8).

Eddy was born in San Antonio to Howard and Gloria Handley. He attended Brackenridge High School, then met and married Jo Ann, the love of his life, on August 6, 1960. He began his 40 year railroad career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in San Antonio. As he progressed through the management ranks, his family made numerous moves including Harlingen, Houston, Omaha, Memphis, Atchison, Paola, Kansas City, Fort Worth, and back to Kansas City. At each stop they made lifelong friends.

In 1981 the family moved to Houston, Texas, when Eddy became General Manager of the Port Terminal Railroad Association. During his nearly 15 year tenure he led the company to new heights, winning the industry’s top awards for safety year after year. One of his biggest legacies is the number of people he helped begin a career in the railroad industry, and those he mentored along the way. After the PTRA, he spent three years at the Federal Railroad Administration, and the final stop in his career was as Assistant Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, Southern Region.

Eddy attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Program during the 1970’s, where he made close friends who travelled together around the world for three decades. In addition to planning many of these reunion trips, Eddy and Jo Ann were active with the Missouri Pacific Railroad retired management group, and enjoyed annual get-togethers with these great friends.

An avid golfer, Eddy and his son John enjoyed trips to play top courses in Scotland, Ireland, and throughout the U.S. His golf highlights included playing with Arnold Palmer, attending the Masters, and making three holes-in-one. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, Eddy held season tickets for many years, and attended the 1992 Super Bowl victory. He enjoyed cheering for the Texas Longhorns and attending his grandchildren’s numerous sporting events.

Eddy and Jo Ann loved travelling with their family and friends, and their trips took them to Hawaii, London, Paris, Turkey, Italy, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Eddy passed away due to complications of liver cancer. He lived every day to the fullest, including a recent trip to Palm Desert, California, with the entire family to celebrate Easter. Donations can be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 2:00-3:00 pm, immediately followed by a service celebrating his life in the chapel at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, 210-828-2811. On Monday, April 27 a Catholic mass will be held at St. Pius X, 3303 Urban Crest Drive, followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Park.