Donald Leon Edwards Sr.

Donald L. Edwards, Sr. will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012. Don was born to William A. Edwards and Laura S. Edwards on July 9, 1932 in McAlester, Oklahoma. He passed away peacefully at his home in Bakersfield, California on July 29, 2012. Like so many others during that difficult time, Don's parents moved the family to California in 1941, initially making their home in Santa Barbara before settling in Bakersfield. Don attended local schools and graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1950. From 1952 - 1954 he served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea. After he was honorably discharged, he worked for various entities as a right-of-way agent, a draftsman and a real estate appraiser. He spent the last 20 years of his career working as a self-employed real estate appraiser. In 1980 he met his future wife, Gwen, on a blind date and they had been inseparable ever since. Don loved following the stock market and served as the family "stock advisor". He was pretty good at it too! Don and Gwen loved spending time in Las Vegas. He loved watching sports on television - especially NASCAR. Kevin Harvick was his favorite driver - always pulling for the hometown boy! He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always willing to offer his "advice" on a range of subjects. Above all else, he loved his family. When his children were young he would indulge them as much as his budget would allow. That might mean going to the carwash and getting a bottle of Coke out of the machine or going to the old "Carnation" on Union Avenue to have ice cream and getting to play their favorite song on the tabletop jukebox. Later on it might mean loading up the BMX bikes and motorcycles and heading off to the racetrack or renting a houseboat and going up the Colorado River listening to a Merle Haggard 8-track over and over again. Don became a single parent when his sons were still in high school and he stepped up to the plate. He learned how to grocery shop, cook and do laundry while continuing to work fulltime. He was the most wonderful father we could have ever asked for. We will love you forever Pop. Don is predeceased by his father and mother, William and Laura Edwards; his brothers, W.A. Edwards and Robert Edwards; his sisters, Margaret Rone and Mary Rose; his brothers-in-law, Phil Cerro, Ray Rose, Gerald May, Del Livengood and Dean Yancey; his sister-in-law, Rowena Edwards; and his father-in-law Jake Yancey. Those left behind to mourn his passing are his wife, Gwen Edwards; his daughters, Jenifer Edwards and Lori Johnson and husband Rick; his sons, Donald Edwards, Jr. and wife Natalie and Britt Edwards and wife Janna; and his grandchildren: Jeff Johnson (and Camarin), Megan Phillips (and Jeremy), Donald Edwards III, Jacqi Edwards, Rae Edwards, Blake Salomon and Britt Edwards, Jr. Also left to mourn him is son Sean Nagel and husband Jeff Sellers and daughter Wendy VanVorhis and husband Tim and their children, Jake, Conner, Riley, Mikayla, Leiana and Taylor. Don also leaves his beloved sisters, Jonnie Cerro, June May and Sharron Livengood; his mother-in-law Ruby Yancey; many nieces and nephews and his lifelong friend Richard Diffee. Don will be deeply missed by all that knew him. The family of Donald L. Edwards would like to express our sincere gratitude for the compassionate care extended to him by the staff at CBCC and Optimal Hospice. Donations can be made in his name to CBCC Foundation, 6501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309 or Optimal Hospice Foundation, 1315 Boughton Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308.