Edson Turner Strobridge Jr.

STROBRIDGE, Jr., Edson Turner


(1927-2007) Edson Turner Strobridge Jr., 80, native Californian and lifelong resident of Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, Calif., and loving husband, father, grandfather and patriot, passed away on October 19, 2007 after a courageous and valiant battle with cancer.

Edson was born January 11, 1927 in Hollywood, California to Edson and Helen Strobridge. He attended Main Street School, El Camino Junior High School, and graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1944. He married the love of his life, June Parrish. They have five children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

He joined the Navy in WW II, achieving the rating of AOM3/C with the Combat Air Crew. He went on to attend the USC School of Aeronautics at the Santa Maria Airport and became a pilot.

In 1946 he went to work for Southern Counties Gas Company which became Southern California Gas Company. His career spanned 45 years in what he referred to as God's County. The first 20 years were spent "learning" the natural gas business in Santa Maria, where he began his career. During the last 25 years of his career he was in charge of Southern California Gas Company pipeline construction, maintenance and operation throughout San Luis Obispo County. During those years he helped forge a coordinated utility design and permit process, oversaw installation of 54 miles of pipelines to deliver the first natural gas to Cambria in 1967. Ed supervised a 20-mile major transmission pipeline extension to Morro Bay in 1983 in a record time of 62 days and was responsible for the growth of natural gas pipelines in San Luis Obispo County from about 350 miles in 1967 to 750 miles at the time of his retirement in 1991. He also kept the pipelines functioning during the floods of 1969 and 1971 and the Las Pilitas Fire. His most memorable recollections doing his job were his friendly relationships developed with his peers in the 11 governmental agencies he worked with. He was commended for his dedication, commitment, and outstanding service by both the City of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors.

His interests and avocation were in researching and writing about local and early western history with an emphasis on Civil War and early railroad history. He wrote numerous articles for historical journals and published The Central Pacific Railroad and the Legend of Cape Horn 1865 - 1866 in 2001. His research has uncovered the truth about many of the events that earlier historians have either badly distorted or just made up of what really happened while these historical events were taking place. In his words, "My interest in publishing lies only in the telling of the truth of history and encouraging others to expose the false reporting of historical events used by those who fail to ferret out the truth."

A fellow historian and dear friend of Eds recently shared that "he was a great researcher and historian. He was one of the few historians that really tried to be objective and accurate." In addition to his quest to write the Biography of James Harvey Strobridge, Superintendent of Construction on the Central Pacific Railroad, he also completed extensive research on veterans of the Mexican and Civil Wars who once lived in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. At last count, he had researched, documented, and personally installed 74 military headstones on graves he found unmarked in various cemeteries in both counties. In addition to this research he also helped in arranging for memorial stones for WW II veterans whose remains have not been recovered. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for his service and work in locating the graves of Civil War veterans, obtaining and installing grave markers, and for his service in preserving a cannon in the GAR plot of the cemetery in San Luis Obispo as well as recognized for his works by the Department of California & Pacific Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Ed had a love of history and generously shared what he learned and was a mentor to many. He was willing to share the knowledge he gained of genealogical research, The Civil War and early railroad history corresponding nationwide with many other historians in their pursuit of the truth. Ed assisted in restoring a forgotten and abandoned cemetery in Santa Barbara and received a certificate of appreciation from the Military Order of the World Wars for this work.

Ed was a member of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge No. 1538 for 50 years, and awarded a lifetime membership to Future Farmers of America for services rendered to that group. He was also active in the Odd Fellows Chorro Lodge No. 165 I.O.O.F of San Luis Obispo, Order of Minor Historians C.L. Sonnichesen Chapter and Pacheco Chapter 1.5 E. Clampus Vitas and a member of the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society.

Ed was a patriot who instilled love of country with all of his children and encouraged spirited debate and critical thought. His advocacy extended to veterans of all wars in the hope none would be forgotten.

Ed was a master craftsman; mason, welder and wood worker who hand built everything imaginable to include boats and two homes. As June often said, "he wore many hats."

Edson is survived by his wife June Strobridge; his daughter Dena Rae Dodson (Tony); his daughter Rhonda J. Macdonald (Stephen); his son Dale Edson Strobridge (Valerie); his son Tim Alan Strobridge (Mary); his daughter Robin G. Rolson (Richard); 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins. He was a beloved friend, mentor, historian, grandfather, father, and husband. We will miss him every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edson Turner Strobridge Sr. and Helen P. Strobridge as well as his brother Harold Evans Strobridge.

Memorial donations may be made in Edson's name to the library of your choice.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. in the Dudley-Hoffman Chapel with burial following at the Santa Maria Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.