Richard V. Edwards

It is with extreme sadness that the family of Richard V. Edwards, 87, announces his passing on Friday, April 16, 2021. It was definitely a miracle he was even able to live a wonderful, truly blessed life when his very being was in peril prior to his birth. His father died unexpectedly at the tender age of 30, leaving a widow with three young children and pregnant with our dad. Just a week before Dad’s birth in June, 1933, his only sister, Helen, just over 3 years old, died after a brief illness. So, he truly was meant to be here and the world has been a much better place having him here.

Richard, fondly known as Dick to family and friends, and daddy/dad to us, was born in Pleasant Hill, Illinois to Alice and Charles Edwards, who preceded him in death. He moved with his family to Arizona in 1948 and attended Phoenix Union High School. It was at the local skating rink, where many of the students hung out, he met the love of his life, Nora, who he described as having “the most beautiful legs he had ever seen.” They were married on July 2, 1950, just before their senior year in high school, and this union was blessed with three children, Helen, Richard II, and Debra.

Daddy worked at Rainbow Bakery for almost 16 years obtaining the role of supervisor over production and was on his way up the ladder when he was told he had to move to Iowa in order to be promoted. His home and his heart were in Arizona where his family was and here he would stay, which then lead to a very successful career change.

In 1965, Dad became a deputy sheriff for Maricopa County at the prompting of a dear friend, working in the Records and Identification Department. It was to become what we know as the “CSI” of Maricopa County. We kids grew up with his tales of wrecks and all kinds of chaos and havoc, and his point being was to make us all better drivers and citizens. It was at this time, he learned to make many leather items such as belts for each of us, wallets, purses, and the rigs the deputies would use that had his own special touch to each of them. Dad would sit at the dinner table for hours on end, pounding away at the unique designs for many years.

Daddy retired from the MCSO in May of 1987, obtaining the rank of Captain. Mom retired shortly thereafter and they began traveling all over the world from Europe to Australia, with several trips around the USA. Along with traveling, Daddy enjoyed wood-working and spent many hours out in his shop, making items that are still cherished today, such as rocking chairs for the great-grandkids, banks made with antique post office doors, bread boxes, banana holders and a cedar chest for each of his granddaughters. Craft sales were a constant during the fall and winter and were his outlets to not only sell his creations, but to just be with people and share his time with Mom, who truly enjoyed ringing up all of their daily sales.

When Mom became ill with Alzheimer’s in 2000, Daddy was her full-time care giver, truly devoted to her care and well-being up until 2008 when he had to let Glencroft Memory Care Center take over her care as it became very stressful for him to give her the attention she required. However, he did not miss a day that he didn’t visit and have lunch with her up until the very end. Sadly, the love of his life passed away in 2013 and he missed her terribly.

Daddy loved going to Laughlin with Mom, and it became a sort of respite after her passing. He was incredibly the luckiest soul on earth when it came to “playing his favorite video poker game” as he beat the odds many, many times by coming home with much more of their money than he took with him. Being a generous soul, he never failed to help out anyone who asked and he was extremely happy that he was able to do it for them.

Surviving his passing are his three children, Helen (Patrick) Neese, Rich (Jen) Edwards, and Debra (Anthony) Fiore. He also has seven grand-children, and his legacy also includes 14 great-grandchildren. He was so very proud of his grandchildren as they all were very successful in life. And to think that all of this was “just because two people fell in love.”

Funeral arrangements have been made with A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Road. Visitation will be Friday, April 30, 2021 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Paul Wilson, officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery following the service.

“Your life was a blessing,

Your memory a treasure,

You are loved beyond words,

And missed beyond measure”.