Tom Edward passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 3, 2008 with his wife Ruth by his side, after a long, hard two-year battle with lung cancer. He was born April 2, 1937 in Harrisburg, Ill., to Thomas H. Edward and Jemima Jack Edward. He graduated with the Harrisburg Township High School Class of 1955 and then began his naval career on September of that year at Great Lakes. His subsequent duty assignments were many and varied; from Jacksonville, Fla., to Atsugi, Japan and finally Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. During his interesting and varied career he received five Good Conduct Medals, two Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Citations, The Gallantry Cross from Vietnam, five Vietnam Campaign Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and The Navy Achievement Medal.
He retired from the Navy in September of 1975 as a Chief Petty Officer, but continued to work for the Navy as a civilian at the Fuel Farm on Ault Field.
When he was younger, Tom spent many happy hours with his son Tommy teaching him about fishing, hunting and working on anything with an engine. He also spent time with his daughter Crissy, teaching her how to ride her Shetland pony. After he left the Fuel Farm, Tom was able to spend even more time with his hobbies. Ruth was happy to go fishing with him on occasion, but he most often went with his old friends Walter, Dick and Pinky. These were good times!
Tom considered Ruth “the love of his life” and their 30 years together were filled with wonderful memories. They both loved working in the garden, cutting wood for winter and having friends drop by to visit and to eat Ruth’s good cooking.
Tom had about every type of tool in his barn and loved to spend time there, working on projects and occasionally sneaking cigarettes. Of course, when he was caught, he had to buy Ruth a lot of lunches to get back on her good side. Ha!
Although Tom came across as a plainspoken country boy, he was well read and kept up on the latest news, business and politics. He enjoyed discussing these and other subjects with his many friends and was always right, whether he was right or not. Ha!
He was a great neighbor, always willing to lend a helping hand and strong opinion as to how to get the job done right.
He and Ruth surrounded themselves with good friends and neighbors, all of whom will miss Tom greatly and will gather around his family to comfort them in their time of sorrow and loss.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and sister Nancy Wise. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, at the family home, his son Thomas H. Edward of Flagstaff, Ariz., daughter Christina Edward of Yakima, and grandson Shawn Edward. He is also survived by his stepchildren Larry (Karen) Hughes of Columbus, S.C., Penny Johnson of Bellingham and Connie (Russ) Ray of Sedro-Woolley.
Grandpa Tom also left behind step-grandchildren, Heather (Todd) Copeland, Kristen Hughes, McLean (Lara) Johnson, Jessie (Stephen) Burton Johnson, Lonny (Courtney) Johnson, Heidi (Josh) Welborn, and Chelsea (Ty) Ray.
He also leaves behind his step-great-grandchildren including Haley and Owen Copeland, Phoenix Johnson, Camren Burton, Abby Johnson, Madeline, Zoe and Jack Welborn and a new brother or sister for Phoenix due in May. Tom left many friends and family behind in Harrisburg, Ill., and also leaves close family friends Yvonne, Brad, Adam and TJ Musgrove and he will be greatly missed by his little dog Scarlet.
There will be a time of visitation and viewing for Tom on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel and from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 preceding the service, which will begin at 1 p.m. followed by burial at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full military honors. A reception will be held at the IOOF (Odd fellows Hall) in Oak Harbor immediately following the burial. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, where friends and family may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register.
