Retired Senior Master Sgt. Thomas "Tom" Edwards

He will always be remembered as a dedicated husband and father, a loyal friend, and a decorated retired military air force veteran to all who knew and cared for him. He was born February 19, 1946 in Buffalo, New York to Virginia “Ginny” McConnell and Henry James Edwards, Jr.

Tom grew up in Amherst, Ohio with his parents and three younger brothers. He graduated from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, Ohio in May 1964. He attended Lorain County Community College until May 1966 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During this time, he met a sweet red-head named Eileene, and fell head over heels. Tom and Eileene were married March 2, 1968. He graduated from technical school in Chanute AFB Illinois as an Aircraft Pneudraulic Repairman. His first assignments in the military included McCoy AFB Florida, Kadena AB Okinawa, and Beale AFB California. During this assignment, he was blessed with his first child, Thomas Jr. The family then moved to Eileson AFB Alaska where they eventually welcomed their second child, Danyella. He was then assigned to McCord AFB Washington, and finally Sheppard AFB Texas where he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in July 1989 with over 23 years of active military service. After a brief retirement from active duty, Tom returned to work as a civil service employee in February 1990 as a warehouse supervisor and Supply/Equipment manager for the 3785th FTW. Throughout his reign as manager, he was well known for his organization and structure. Tom was highly respected and recognized. He received numerous awards throughout his career including various active duty military achievements and several Civilian of the Year awards.

When Tom wasn’t serving his country, he enjoyed filling his time bowling, golfing, and collecting sports cards and memorabilia. He had a long list of friendships that formed over the years from all of these activities. Tom traveled all over the United States to bowl in national and local bowling tournaments. He won multiple awards with his fellow team mates. He was extremely proud of his accomplishments and displayed each and every one of his awards in his sports memorabilia room.

Tom’s health began to decline due to unexpected complications from his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and after the recent loss of his wife, Eileene in August 2020. Tom is survived by their son, Thomas Edwards, Jr. and wife, Andrea of Frisco, TX; their daughter, Danyella O’Brien and husband, Cullen of Roanoke, TX; their grandchildren, Blaine O’Brien and wife Jessica, Caleb O’Brien, Dillon O’Brien, Eily O’Brien, Jase Edwards; Brothers, Jim Edwards of Bathtownship, Ohio, Jerry Edwards of Amherst, Ohio, and Terry Edwards of Berea, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Eileene, and his parents, Virginia and Henry Edwards.

We will be having a private graveside military service to celebrate Tom on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas accompanied with a live stream video for those who wish to attend virtually. The family is asking in lieu of flowers, for memorial contributions to be made to the Alzheimer’s foundation at alz.org.