Roy Edwards

Colonel Roy Leslie "Butch" Edwards passed away at the age of 68 in Plano, Texas on Saturday, February 6, 2016. He resided at Allegro Assisted Living - a loving home. Butch was born on May 20, 1947 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to parents Lewis L. Edwards and Dorothy Metcalf Edwards. He had two siblings Sue Edwards Prentice and John Edwards. He attended Oklahoma State University and Cameron College in Lawton, Oklahoma. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. On December 11, 1981 he married Christine LeBlond and continued to love her through his final days. Col. Edwards served his country honorably for over 27 years. He proudly commanded at the company Battalion and Brigade command level. He was an 82nd Airborne Division Army Ranger and Jump Master. He was a field artillery soldier. He was Director of Army Education Worldwide. He retired in 1997 as the President of the Physical Evaluation Board for the Army from Walter Reed. He was offered a one star general position and respectfully declined to enjoy time with his family. Most of all through his career he was considered a "soldier's soldier" who placed the needs of his soldiers above of his own. He was known in his personal life as a kind, simple, and loving man. He was a true gentleman and put his family over everything. There was not a person he met who's soul he didn't touch. Over all of his many honorable accolades, he wanted to be remembered for the joy he brought to his family and loved ones and his love for our good Lord, Jesus Christ. Butch lived in Plano, Texas and enjoyed family, church, football and coin collecting. He was a volunteer chaplain for over a decade and did extensive hospital and home-bound visitations. His most endearing characteristics were joy, kindness and his incredibly witty sense of humor. Three words that most describe him are "honor", "kindness", and "love". His favorite bible verse was John 3:16, because he always wanted people to know where his purpose for life and joy came from. He is survived by his daughter Heather Sohee Edwards Hammack and her husband William Carl Hammack; his lifelong love and best friend Christine LeBlond Edwards; his siblings Sue Edwards Prentice and John Edwards; Heather's godparents Col. Roosevelt and Barbara Speed; and many, many loving friends. He will be especially missed by his precious furry friends Spades Hammack (and the late Acey Ducey Edwards). The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 - 8:00pm on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at Allen Family Funeral Options. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Hunter's Glen Baptist Church, 4001 Custer Road in Plano, Texas officiated by Maurice Mosely and Daniel Weldegebriel. If you wish, Butch would be honored if contributions were made in his name to the Parkinson's Action Network, 1025 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005, (800)850-4726, or http://parkinsonsaction.org/our-work/veterans/. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends forever more. Love You Mostest Daddy!