Edward Sam Carder Jr.

Edward Sam Carder, Jr., age 69 of Cartersville, GA passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021. He was born on November 11, 1951 in Ellijay, GA to the late Edward Sam Carder, Sr., and Harriett Barkley Wadsworth.

A corporate pilot by trade, Ed wore many hats and wore them well.

He was a true renaissance man with few limitations. He was a Marine, an engineer, an avid outdoorsman, and a talented athlete. He competed in Ironman triathlons, water skiing, and road races of all distances.

He reveled in the beauty of nature and the adventure of exploration. He visited volcanoes in foreign countries, rode mules in the Grand Canyon, dove reefs across the continent, skied in snow and water, and pined for the ocean’s salty spray. He fished in ponds, streams, lakes, and oceans. He stalked the woods and fields of several states in search of wildlife to view and to hunt.

The same hands that built houses, boats and engines, also raised two beautiful daughters who have grown into successful, educated women and mothers in whom Ed took immense pride. They were his greatest joy and inspiration.

Later in life, he chose to be the father to two young men. He loved and cared for their mother and brought her joy she feared she’d never know again. He nurtured, mentored and supported his sons in ways they dared not hope for.

In this way, he built one family from two and the love that grew did so in greater volumes than he ever dreamed.

He will be remembered most for how fiercely he loved his family, which has grown to include eight grandchildren in whom he delighted and longed to spoil.

Ed is survived by his wife, Carolyn A. Carder; children, Samantha (Steve) Turley, Tom (Elizabeth) Shinall, Matt (Brielle) Shinall, and Hillary (Nick) Mantha; grandchildren, Kathryn, Drew, Ryan, Hannah, Walter, Barry, Wyatt and Samuel; brother, Joe Carder; sister, Nancy Verdin.

Pallbearers will be Joe Carder, James Wade, Steve Turley, Tom Shinall, Matt Shinall, Nick Mantha, Drew Turley, and Ryan Turley.

A Graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Oak Hill Cemetery. The service is open to the public but due to COV-19, the family request all guest wear a mask. Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave on-line condolences for the family. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA is honored to serve the family.