Edison Ray Ezekiel

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Edison Ray Ezekiel, who peacefully passed away on May 8th, 2025. Born on July 5th, 1933 in St. Matthews, SC, Mr. Ezekiel lived a life marked by his kindness, faith in Jesus, and his caring nature for the Ezekiel family.

Mr. Ezekiel was the devoted husband of almost 59 years to Shirley Ezekiel and loving father to Mark (Ariel) of Aiken and John (Tanya) of Lexington; as well as his grandchildren, Kennedy Ezekiel of Columbia, Emmi Ezekiel of Auburn, AL, Ryan and Grace Ezekiel of Lexington, Ethan Ard, Nate Ard Cooper Ezekiel, and Connor Ezekiel of Aiken; and one sister, Evelyn of Aiken. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Aaron Lee and Rosa Collins and siblings Lee, Eloise, Etha, Eartha, Eargle, Earl, Everette, Jean, and Joan.

Mr. Ezekiel grew up on a small farm outside of North, SC. He was drafted into the United States Army, shortly after high school, which provided the opportunity to pursue a college education after his discharge from military service. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1959 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honor societies. Additionally, he received a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Stanford University in 1966. He met his wife, Shirley, in New Orleans, while working with Texaco, and they married in 1966 at the chapel on the campus of Stanford University. His profession led him to several places across the United States and around the world.

He worked in New Orleans with Texaco to design off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf from 1959 to 1966 then moved to Okinawa and Thailand to design and secure military shipping ports. After moving back to the United States in 1968, he worked with Wilbur Smith, in which he spent a lot of time in Africa (the Gambia) to design shipping port systems and then eventually designing parking structures in the United States (including underground parking garage at South Carolina’s State House). He truly enjoyed the outdoors and especially farming. He had a true love for his pine tree farms and his home gardens that produced delicious tomatoes and cucumbers. He had a deep love for the Ezekiel family and especially spending time with his grandchildren. The most important attribute of Mr. Ezekiel was his love for our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a life-long Baptist that enjoyed teaching Sunday School, serving as a Deacon, and spending time learning more about God’s Word.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM in the Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072.

In lieu of flowers, family would like you to make donations to SC Forestry Commission, 5500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.