Marvin Andrew Mitchell Sr.

Edward Archibald Rountree passed peacefully from this life early on the morning of July 6, 2011 after a very brief illness. He is sorely missed by his children; Mickey Rountree and his wife, Linda; Susan Gentry and her husband, W.C.; and Robin Dunn and her husband, Mike. Ed's youngest child, Donna, preceded him in death. He was also loved greatly by seven grandchildren: Michael Rountree, Randi Rountree Mathieu, Jennifer Gentry Fernandez, Stephanie Gentry Burns, Allison Gentry Hiers, Betsy Dunn Williams, and Bradley Dunn. Ed was blessed with eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who will always love him.

Edward (or Eddie as he was known to many) was born in Waycross, GA on March 26, 1926 to Lester V. and Marybelle Archibald Rountree. He was the second of their three sons, the oldest of whom was William (known as Billy), and the youngest was Lester (known as Bucky). Ed and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida when he was young and he attended Andrew Jackson High School. He married the late Doris Loper Rountree in 1944, enlisted in the Navy and served during WWII. After an honorable discharge and following the lead of his older brother, he became a Railway Mail Clerk. In this position, Ed memorized delivery points for hundreds of local addresses, sorted and distributed mail throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. He loved recalling these days as he grew older and often called their names as we drove on vaction in those areas. As the railway mail service was phased out in the 1960’s, Ed relied on his interest in photography and willingness to learn to move into a position of Audio Visual Specialist at the Jacksonville Central Post Office in 1962. He remained in this position until 1969 when he was offered a similar position at the Postal Service Management Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Since this was quite a promotion for him, he and his family moved to Rockville, Maryland, and he continued his audio visual work until his retirement in 1986. He truly loved his work but, as it turned out, loved his retirement just as much.

When he retired, he purchased a motor home and set out to play golf in every state! After more than four years, he had played in every state except Hawaii and North Dakota, having taken out time each fall to come back and spend the holiday season with his children and grandchildren. Since Ed never met a stranger, he formed many cherished friendships during his time on the road. One of these friends was Maxine McGathey, who cared for him during his final days. Ater touring the country, Ed decided that the high desert area of Oregon was the best place to “park it and play golf.” He bought a home there in what he loved to call his "Blue Collar Country Club," better known as Crooked River Ranch. He made many wonderful friends in Oregon and they played an important role in his happy life over the last 20 years. During those years, Ed lived in his Oregon house from April to October, but right next to his daughter, Susan, the rest of the year, in a house that she and W.C. generously made available to him. He enjoyed this independent lifestyle right up to his passing in Redmond, Oregon.

If you had the privilege of knowing and thereby loving Ed Rountree, you are a better person for it and we, his family, hope you will cherish his memory forever. We certainly will and will also be eternally grateful for the important role he played in our lives. May he enjoy his new adventure as much as he did his life on earth.

Ed was very proud of his granddaughter’s training to participate in a 100-mile bike ride in memory of her Aunt Donna and to benefit MS research. Randi will ride now in memory of both her Aunt Donna and beloved “Pops” on July 23 and 24. We therefore ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to this fundraising ride. The address is: MS Society of Canada, 1100 Dearness Dr., Unit 20, London, ON N6E 1N9. Donations may also be made at the following website: http://bit.ly/pgpZcs.

A memorial service honoring the incredible life of Edward A. Rountree will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel. HARDAGE-GIDDENS OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.