Ed's parents John and Edna lived the hardscrabble life in the Kentucky hill country. Life improved a bit when John led the family to Richmond, Indiana, as part of the "Great Migration" north. Through the Great Depression, they eked out a living as sharecroppers near Williamsburg, Indiana.
Things improved when Ed became a star basketball player at Williamsburg High, from which he graduated in 1946 and where he was swooned over by one Betty Monroe. In a scene straight from the film "Hoosiers," Ed and Betty became high school sweethearts, marrying in 1946. That happy union lasted just shy of 70 years, until Betty's death in 2016.
After a three-year stint in the Army, Ed started several careers. First with Ralston-Purina, then Alcoa (Louisville), Thiokol Chemical (Utah) and then Phoenix's Reynolds' Aluminum, where he put the padlock on the gate when that giant Phoenix factory closed. He was lured out of retirement to work at Plymouth Tube on the Gila River Tribal Community.
Wherever Ed worked, he had a knack for getting along with front-line workers, unions and the "suits." The gift of treating the worker bees and the powers-that-be with equal respect made him the ideal middle manager.
With Betty ever at his side, Ed used his people skills to serve the community. Six decades ago, they co-founded Valley View Baptist in North Ogden, Utah, which still thrives to this day. In Phoenix, they were spiritual pillars as Bible teachers, hospital visitors and much more at Trinity, North Phoenix and First Southern Baptist churches. They volunteered countless hours at non-profits such as Arizona Baptist Children's Homes and Lura Turner Homes. Wherever they served, they made life-long friends.
Ed loved to travel, experience new things and learn about the world. Trips to Israel and Scotland were highlights of his and Betty's globe-trotting. With their love for all things Irish and Scottish, they could never pass up a clan gathering. They also enjoyed camping at many national parks. They never grew tired of hiking the Grand Canyon's Havasupai Trail with family and friends.
Along with Betty (who did most of the "heavy lifting"), Ed raised five children: Pauletta (Buzz) Wilson, Steve (Diane-deceased) McQueen, Max, Jenny (Bob) Schrum and David (Jamie) McQueen. When the "kids" were grown and gone, Betty and Ed delighted in showering affection on 10 grandkids: Tina Wilson, Kevin (Shaniell) Wilson, Nathan (Kim) McQueen, Mike (Jennifer) Farrell, Lori (Jason) Wainwright, Melissa Barnett, Matt Schrum, Ryan (Amanda)McQueen, Alexandra McQueen and Andrew McQueen. Already missing great-grandpa are 13 great-grand-children: Aubrey, JoCee, Danielle, Gabrielle, Colton, Brennan, Anthony, Nicholas, Joey, Gianna, Hailey, Kaity and Quinn. Ed especially enjoyed his brother-in-law Frank Monroe and sister-in-law Idris Smith and his many nieces and nephews. Predeceasing Ed ares his sister Jean, brother Bob, daughter-in-law Diane, and great-grand-daughter Charis.
The McQueen family expresses their profound appreciation to the Beatitudes and Sweet Home Adult Care Home for taking tender, loving care of Ed in his final years. The family also requests that should you be moved to make a donation in Ed's memory, nothing would make him happier than a contribution to Lura Turner Homes for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, P.0. Box, 81285, Phoenix, Arizona, 85069.
Visitation is 9 a.m., Monday, June 6 at First Southern Baptist, 3535 W. Georgia, Phoenix. Service is 10 a.m. followed by lunch catered by My Mother's Restaurant, Betty and Ed's favorite place to eat. Burial is at 1:30 p.m. at Greenwood Lawn Cemetery, 719 N. 27th Avenue, the final resting place of many of Betty and Ed's life-long Southern Baptist friends. Now they're all together. May they rest in peace. They've earned it.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenwoodmemorylawn.com for the McQueen family.
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