Burnham Wilcox Edson Sr.

passed away January 15, 2025 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on September 6, 1947 in Sewickley, PA, he spent most of his childhood in Greenwich, CT. He attended Bishop College School and graduated Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY. At the University of Missouri, he discovered a love of journalism, as well as a love for his soon to be wife of 54 years, Lucy Huidekoper. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. Following an honorable discharge, Bur began his 25 year career as a newscaster, first in Quincy, Illinois, then with CBS affiliate KFSM in Northwest Arkansas, where he served as an anchor and news director. In addition to his news career, Bur was engaged in several businesses, including oil and gas, real estate development, and metal manufacturing. Fort Smith is a community

Bur loved and adopted as his own, serving on numerous boards over the years and hosting community events, all with humor and ease. Bur was often found reading obscure

non-fiction books in his favorite chair or enjoying one of Lucy’s delicious meals with family and friends. Making him laugh could make your day. He loved storytelling, nature, reciting

WWI poetry, the English language (policing grammatical mistakes at the dinner table and structuring his text messages as formal letters, complete with “Dears” and “Sincerelys”), his family, tennis, playing and coaching soccer, snow skiing, searching with his toes for the cool bits at the bottom of a bedsheet, a spirited debate over a meal, body surfing in the Atlantic

Ocean, writing, and rooting for the underdog.

As a father, he was playful, kind, fair, and thought provoking. No matter how busy, he made time for fun with his kids every day, inventing games involving anything - balls, napkins, stairs, piers, bubbles, salt shakers... He always believed in his children and made them feel loved, supported, respected, and never judged. He loved his Lulu with all his heart.

Bur was the son of the late Bennett Edson and Joan Burnham. He is survived by his wife, Lucy, of South Dartmouth, MA; his daughter Emily Bojovic and her husband Aleksandar of Jakarta, Indonesia; Katharine Edson of Boston, MA; Will Edson and his wife Amanda of Whitefish, MT; his grandchildren - Bennett, Capen, Sia, and Caroline; his brothers, Montgomery (Kathy) and Ehrhardt (Grace); and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was loved by all of them.

Services will be held at a date to be determined. Gifts in his memory can be made to First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, AR or to St. Aidan’s Chapel in South Dartmouth, MA.