Ed was the youngest child to Roy and Opal. As a child Ed grew up on a farm in the Hillsdale/Paolo, KS area. He would share so many memories of farm life. Some of his favorite being with his best friend and dog Scotty. Oh, the adventures they had were some most children could only dream of. His family also had two work horses Baldy and Lady, and he would love to go horseback riding. This time in Ed’s life was one of his most cherished and talked about.
Ed’s family moved to Olathe, KS when he was a teenager, to where he would remain a resident of Olathe, KS for the remainder of his life. There he attended Olathe Senior High School and became friends with Jim Huggins. He would share many stories of he and Jim’s teenage angst and all the trouble they would get into growing up into adulthood.
As a young adult Ed met his wife and soulmate Linda Wheeler of Kansas City, KS, and they married on January 4th, 1964. The couple had three children together, Lisa Marie in 1964, Tammy Lea in 1967 and Edward (Eddie) Paul in 1979. Growing up Ed’s family, aside from his brother Richard and wife Norma who were more like parents to him did not show a lot of love towards each other, so he told himself once he had a family of his own, he was going to make sure he showed them and told them how much he loved them. Ed kept that promise to himself for the remainder of his life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Ed’s wife Linda would always say “you are so emotional with the people you love, and this is one of many reasons why I love you”.
Over the course of his career he worked multiple jobs including construction, hauling lumber and retired doing custodial work. During that time in custodial he worked with his daughter Tammy and for a couple of years with his son Eddie before retirement.
Ed had a love for history, especially the history of Olathe, KS and surrounding areas. He shared this with his son Eddie Paul. He would take many historical trips with his family to local areas and visit the cities, museums, cemeteries and historical sites.
He loved watching football and baseball. He was a huge Nebraska, Cornhuskers football fan and loved the local Kansas City college and professional teams.
Of the many things that brought joy to Ed’s life it was music. The old Doo Wop, County and music whos’ lyrics resonated with such much emotion it touched his heart. He would listen to some of this timeless music and get up and dance like he did when he was younger, going to sock hops and local dances.
Ed loved his family. He would always put their needs before his own. He was an emotional, giving and loving man. His family knew Dad would always be there no matter what, through the ups and downs of life. His family leaned on him so much for love, support and guidance. No matter how old they all got Dad made them all feel safe and protected. For that we are all truly grateful to him for the gift he gave to each one of us.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Phegley; daughter, Tammy Cochran; son Eddie Lee Phegley; parents Roy and Opal Phegley; siblings John, Bob, Richard, Doris Swearngin, Beverly Yelton, Charles Letcher, grandparents, Harry and Ella Letcher, Charles and Bessie Phegley, in laws, Norma Phegley, Larry Wheeler and Troy and Zella Wheeler.
He is survived by daughter, Lisa (Jerry) Cochran; son/best friend Edward (Eddie) Paul Phegley; grandchildren, Trent Cochran, Cory Cochran, Shawn Cochran and Cynthia Grippin; great grandchildren, Faith, Drew, Halle, Brayden, Jayden, Dante, Mason, Mia, Axel, Bryer, Ely, Caleb and Ryan; great-great granddaughter Kinsley Rae and many nieces and nephews.
Genesis 18:19: "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
