Gene W. Edwards age 88, Paducah, Kentucky passed away at 10:05 Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Baptist Health Paducah surrounded by family members. Gene was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He attended Wingo grade and high school through the 9th grade and graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis in 1948. He received a BS Civil Engineering degree in 1952 from University of Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy which is now the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He lettered in Basketball and Track while in college. He was installed in Rolla Miner Athletic Academy. Gene founded Warning Lights in St. Louis which he expanded with an office in Paducah, later becoming Kit-Mo Rental and Supply.
Gene was a veteran of U.S. Army where he served in Korea; he was an officer in U S Corps of Engineers, member of American Legion and VFW; served as past commander and trustee of Post 31 and served on various committees. He was a Kentucky Colonel and Duke of Paducah. Gene took an active part in the Kiwanis Club where he was President, Kiwanian of the Year and had over 30 years perfect attendance. He served as Lt. Governor of the Ky-Tenn District of Kiwanis and was a Ted Osborn Fellow. He received international awards of honor and George Hixson Fellow.
Gene was instrumental in the building of the Lone Oak High School Football field and served as an officer in the football boosters. He was active in all youth sports, football, basketball, Khoury League team, Cub Scout leader. Gene served on the Airport board, Red Cross, Hendron Water District. As an active member of Associated General Contractors, he was named “Man of the Year” and was a director for many years as well as trustee of the self insured workers compensation for Associated General Contractors. He served on the River City Mission board and was active in the Kentucky Pioneers which included the Senior Olympic Games.
Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ann Buckner Edwards; one daughter, Cheryl (Tom) Hampton of Paducah; five sons, David G. (Angela) Edwards, R. Mark Edwards, William Kirk (Laura) Edwards, Timothy Jon Edwards, all of Paducah and Robert L. Edwards of Tulsa, OK; one sister, Julia Thornbrough, Tampa, Florida; 17 grandchildrem, Tracy (Jason) Hodge, Matt (Shirley) Watson, Jesse (Meagan) Edwards, Rebekah (Johnathan) Campbell, Sadie Edwards, Jessica Edwards, Barrett Edwards, Ryan (Cindy) Hayden, Kacey (Travis) Azar, Michell (Michael) Thorp, Brian (Amy) Edwards, Nicholas (Jessie) Edwards, Erika Edwards, William Avery Edwards, Laura Adeline Edwards, Sean Hampton, Chad (Caitlynne) Hampton and Joshua Trae Hampton; 17 great –grandchildren and five great-greatgrandchildren.
Preceding him in death were parents, James Leon Edwards & Rebecca Ann Walker Edwards; step-father John Edward F. Allen, and brother, James “Lum” Edwards.
Services will be held Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lone Oak Chapel Milner & Orr Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Jenna Goggins officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Mt. Kenton Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday May 9, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Lone Oak Chapel Milner & Orr Funeral Home.
Expression of sympathy may be made to River City Mission, 1466 Bechtolt Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003 or Gene W. Edwards and Ann B. Edwards Scholarship Fund, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 1200 N. Pine Street, Rolla, MO 65409.
You may ligh a candle or leave a message of sympathy at www.milnerandorr.com.
