Roy Edwards

Owen Leroy “Roy” Edwards was born, September 16, 1922, in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Albert and Anna (Hourihan) Edwards. He was a 1940 graduate of Oskaloosa High School where he enjoyed sports; he played football at school but especially enjoyed playing softball in the commercial leagues, generally playing first base. Following high school he worked at Iowa Valve until he was drafted in October 1943. Roy chose the Navy where he was a signalman first class aboard an APA (troop ship). He served in the Pacific with landings on Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He landed with maneuvers on D-Day in Iwo Jima and he saw the flag raised through binoculars on Mount Suribachi. Roy remembers his experience in the Navy as not pleasurable, but had many interesting experiences including liberty in Japan at the time of the peace treaty signing. Following his discharge in April 1946, Roy returned to Iowa and held various jobs. August 25, 1951, he married Jean Louise Phelps in Monmouth, IL. They made their home in Oskaloosa and Roy opened a radiator business. He served two terms on the city council, which he considered an enlightening experience and even ran for mayor, losing the election by about 100 votes. He was a past president of the Jaycees and past commander of the Harry L. Anderson Post #34 of the American Legion. Roy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa since 1951, he served as an elder and was active in many church activities. When his children were young, he coached his son’s Little League team. He enjoyed reading, bowling and was a life-long Cub and Hawk-eye fan. Over the years, he and Jean enjoyed camping and traveling in their “fifth wheel”, seeing many parts of the U.S. After retiring in July 1987, they wintered for 19 years in Texas. Roy passed away early Wednesday morning, November 19, 2014, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services Serenity House at the age of 92 years, 2 months and 3 days. Roy’s family includes his wife, Jean of Oskaloosa;and his children: *John Edwards of Oskaloosa and his children: **Jeremy (Stephanie) Edwards of Indiana and their children: ***Samantha, Alexandra and Daniella **Jordan (Anya) Edwards of Nebraska; *Betsy (Bryan) DeGroot, of Oskaloosa and her children: **Leisha DeGroot of Oskaloosa and her children: ***Adriana, Nicolas and Elliana; **Carrie DeGroot of Clinton and her children: ***Conner, Carson and Brycen; **Brandon DeGroot of Oskaloosa. (*Children, **Grandchildren, ***Great Grandchildren) In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by a sister, Gail D. Muilenberg. Funeral Services for Roy will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa with Rev. Robert Elgin officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation be held Friday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; the family will be present from 10 a.m. to service time on Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church and Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter. PDF Printable Version

Roy Edwards

September 16, 1922 - November 19, 2014