Sam John Edwards Jr.

COLUMBIA - A celebration of the life of Sam John Edwards Jr. will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Ashland United Methodist Church with Pastor Joel Jones officiating. A reception will follow in Ashland Hall.

John passed away Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the age of 56. Born in Greer, SC, on October 31, 1955, he was the son of Sam John Edwards and Marcelle Greenway Edwards. He grew up in Salisbury, NC, where his parents still reside. He was a graduate of North Augusta High School and then earned a degree in Industrial Management from Clemson University. His career took him from St. Simons Island, Georgia to San Francisco, then back to Charlotte and finally Columbia. He was a corporate recruiter for Computer Sciences Corporation for twelve years and most recently for Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank.

John was a faithful and active member of Ashland UMC, serving as President of the Stepping Stones Sunday School Class, church greeter and valet parker extraordinaire, and seminar leader at the church. He also volunteered for the Palmetto chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Walk to Cure Diabetes for many years.

John was an avid Clemson Tiger fan, and when both daughters went to the University of South Carolina, he pulled for the Gamecocks too – unless they were playing Clemson. He enjoyed playing golf, particularly his annual golf weekend with his buddies. He was known for his knowledge of trivia, especially sports trivia, which he was always ready and willing to share, and for his propensity to wear many “hats.” He made friends wherever he went. He had a wonderfully big heart and a legendary sense of humor, and he will be sorely missed by many.

John fought a long, courageous battle with his illness, always with dignity and grace, humor and optimism. His hopes were to be placed on the heart and kidney transplant list, but that was not to be.

John is survived by his parents of Salisbury, NC; his wife of 32 years, Jennifer Porter Edwards; his daughters, Julie Mackenzie Edwards and Samantha Gene Edwards; his three sisters, Anne Fuller of Greensboro, NC, Jane Edwards of Longs, SC, and Nancy Fortenbery (Dave) of Charlotte, NC; special in-laws, Debbie and Dru Kennedy of Columbia, Gene and Shirley Porter of Williston, SC, and Gerry Porter of Charleston, SC; nine nieces and nephews; and pet dog, Tobey, whom he called “ten pounds of fury.”

Memorials may be made to his beloved Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210, or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Palmetto Chapter, 3608 Landmark Drive, Columbia, SC 29204. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel is assisting the family.