Paul Darwin Edwards

Paul Darwin Edwards, 87, of Freeport, Texas passed away on May 10, 2023, at Southeast Memorial Hospital in Houston. He was born the second child of Eldred (Landrum) and Roy C. Edwards at home in Temple, Texas on July 14, 1935.

He entered the first grade in Alice, Texas. After the family moved back to their hometown of Groveton, Texas, he attended Groveton schools and was actively involved in athletics, mainly football and pole vaulting. He was a popular running back for the Groveton Indians football team and was being observed by college scouts. Unfortunately, due to a series of circumstances, his hopes and dreams of playing college football were not to be fulfilled. He eventually joined the United States Army serving twelve years, two months, and four days, and was stationed at several different bases including Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Korea, Alaska, and Ft. Bliss in El Paso. Early on he obtained top secret clearance, a distinction he held for six years. While serving at Ft. Bliss, he met and married Sylvia Castro. They were married 28 years.

Paul had numerous interests and was energetic, strong and a hard worker. He was ecstatic when he obtained his pilot’s license. He was passionate about flying and felt exhilarated when he was in the air. He took great delight when he had the opportunity to take his mother up on a flight during one of her visits. He loved classic country music and played the guitar in his younger days. He once worked for the railroad; and served on the Chicago Board of Trade. He was a builder and built several homes in the Brazosport area, as well as the original ambulance building in Clute. He was passionate about collecting, selling, and trading coins, attending coin shows, and once owned a coin business. He was an avid fisherman his entire life until his health no longer allowed him to do so. Living at Lake Livingston for several years provided the perfect venue for his hobby. He caught, provided, and fried countless pounds of fish for family and friends on Mother’s Day and for his mother’s birthday parties for many years. Even though she hated fish. He was a skilled millwright-machinist by trade and was in demand from several local machine shops in the Brazosport area for years. He was generous and consistently donated items to charitable fundraisers. He coached little league baseball when his son was playing. He enjoyed watching numerous sports on TV, including football, baseball (especially the Astros), and horse racing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Bethany Wines, brother, James Roy Edwards, and brother-in-law, David F. Johnston.

Paul is survived by his daughter Tracy and husband Jarrod Wines of Freeport; son Terry and wife Julie Edwards of Freeport; twin sisters, Janice Johnston of Lake Jackson; and Anice Fenley and husband Milton of West Columbia. He is further survived by seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; nephew James Keith Edwards of Decatur, Arkansas, niece Barbra Stone of Tyler; special nephews and their wives, Mike and Stephanie Johnston of Magnolia, and Casey and Monique Johnston of Austin; great nieces Rachel and Cori Johnston of Magnolia; numerous cousins and his closest long-time friends, Red and Sue Mann whom he introduced to each other more than 50 years ago.

A celebration of Paul’s life will take place at Restwood Funeral Home, 1038 W. Plantation, Clute, Texas 77531 on May 31, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Southern Outdoor Dreams, 22830 CR 46, Angleton, TX 77515, or Warrior’s Refuge, 212 N. 14th St., West Columbia, TX 77486.