John "Jack" Edwards

John "Jack" Edwards, 80, of Wilmington, NC, died Monday, May 20, 2013 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Jack was born on March 7, 1933, in Newark, NJ, the son of the late George and Ruth Leffler Edwards. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol B. Edwards in 2011. Jack was a veteran of the US Army having served during the Korean War. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before transferring to Harvard where he earned his undergraduate degree as well as his MBA. While attending UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard he was a world class swimmer and nearly qualified for the 1952 Olympic Swim Team. Jack was highly regarded as a retail merchandising innovator and strategist. Known as a "turnaround artist", he worked for several companies during his career including serving as President of Roses Department Stores. His most notable business achievement came in the 1990's when he was hired as President and CEO by the Malsham Group to oversee their hardware and home improvement division in Canada. Through his leadership and vision Jack brought home improvement warehousing to Canada, and the company was eventually purchased by Home Depot. Jack was an avid fisherman as well as a boating and RV enthusiast. His preferred fishing destination was in Northern Manitoba, which he considered the best fishing in the world. Surviving are two sons, Steven Edwards (Ruth) of Tucson, AZ, and Jeffry Edwards of Scottsdale, AZ; and five grandchildren, Bryan, Claire, Jonathan, and Sydney Edwards, and Michael Faulk; and a sister, Dorothy Rand of Massachusetts. A Celebration of Life will be held 2pm Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel. The family will receive friends Saturday at the funeral home from 1pm until the service hour. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made online or by mail to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.