Sergeant First Class Ronald Lee Edwards

Sergeant First Class Ronald Lee Edwards (Leon) was born September 22, 1962, to the late Essie Mae Edwards. Leon spent his youth in Dodge County, Georgia where he attended Dodge County High School. He dedicated his life to the Lord at an early age and served as an usher at Ward Chapel. The church was located only a few hundred feet from Leon’s family home, and this is where you would find him, his mother and brother on Sunday mornings. Leon took great pride in working and his first job was bagging groceries at the local grocery store where he did so with respect and down-home customer service. Leon played High School sports and was an avid fan of baseball, hitting many home runs in his lifetime.

Leon later enlisted in the United States Army in 1979 at the tender age of 17 years old. Leon accomplished the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) while traveling the world, learning new skills and making lifelong friendships wherever he was stationed. He earned several medals, honors and awards during his time in the military and retired in 2000 as an Army Recruiter with 21 years of honorable service.

Toward the end of his military career, Leon met and married Hope Edwards in 1992. Through this union two children were born, Galen A. Edwards and Jayden G. Edwards. Prior to this union, Leon had a daughter, Lolita (Lisa) Flemming and a son, LaShawn (Shawn) Edwards. Leon loved and cherished all his children.

After his military retirement, Leon worked in many facets of the public and private sector. His last employment included being an adjunct college instructor, program coordinator for a non-profit organization and a business planning consultant. Leon was a visionary leader and led many operations to great success. He was also a dreamer who always kept a pen and notepad handy everywhere he went to jot down ideas as soon as they came to mind. Leon had a passion for lifelong learning and gained great satisfaction from obtaining more and more education. During his educational career he achieved 2 Master’s Degrees: one in Leadership and another in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

Leon spent 29 wonderful years in Arizona with family and friends until an illness led to the Lord calling him home on January 11, 2025. Leon leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 32 years Hope Edwards; (4) four children Lolita (Randy) Warren, LaShawn (Adria) Edwards, Galen A. Edwards, Jayden G. Edwards; (4) four grandchildren Char’dae Dozier, Taniya Dozier, Charles Dozier and Kingston Edwards; (7) seven siblings Leroy Edwards (Buddy), Lillian Lindsey, Reggie Blash, Danna J’haad, Dacia (Curtis) Harris who preceded him in death, Orrondo (Sabrina) West, Travis West, Keon (Alicia) West; (1) one uncle Earnest (Shirlene) Edwards; (1) one aunt Rosa Faye Bray; several in laws Angie Davis, Jim (Catherine) Young along with a host of many more relatives and dear friends whom he loved very much.

A visitation for Ronald was held Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, Arizona 85338.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

II Corinthians 5:8