James Edwards

James Henry Edwards, the son of James Henry and Rose (Dodson) Edwards, was born on April 19, 1929 in Alma, Arkansas and departed this life on March 29, 2018 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 88.



Jim grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1947. He entered the United States Army National Guard and his unit was subsequently mobilized to the Korean War where he served from September 1950 to June 1952. He was one of the youngest men to become Master Sergeant in the infantry while his unit served on the front lines. Jim received the Bronze Star for bravery for his actions. Upon returning from the war, he attended Muskogee Junior College where he met Gennivieve (Gengy) Hyatt. They were married in 1956. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1959. Jim and Gengy welcomed the births of Marcy in 1960 and Mark in 1961.



After graduation from OU, Jim received a position with Standard Oil (Amoco) where he worked as a geologist and geophysicist in New Orleans and Tulsa for approximately 15 years. He started his own oil and gas company and worked as an independent geologist until retirement.



Jim enjoyed life and loved his family. He enjoyed spending time at their cabin on the Illinois River, his favorite place, where he would go fishing or just sit outside and enjoy the outdoors with a good book. He was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for over 20 years where he helped people turn their lives around. He served AA in multiple communities and was a pillar of strength for so many. Jim touched many lives over the years and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.



He is preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers Wilbur Edwards and Gratis Edwards; sister Norma Pinkstaff. He is survived by a loving family which includes his wife of over 61 years, Gengy Edwards; daughter Marcy Edwards of Scottsdale, Arizona; Son Mark Edwards and wife Desiree of Plano, Texas; 3 grandchildren Drew, Sarah, and Ross Edwards; sister-in-law Carolyn Cox of Columbia, Tennessee; brother-in-law Michael Hyatt and wife Rae. Numerous friends and family also survive him.

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