JOE O. EDWARDS Jr.

June 14, 1928 - October 19, 2010

Joe Edwards was born to Joe Sr. and Emma Edwards in National City, CA. He passed away at the age of 82 years in Hollister, CA surrounded by his loving family after a long battle against cancer. He is known by many as "Smokey Joe". Joe took pride in his career choice and loved his job. He started his career as a fire fighter in Julian, CA, after completing high school there. After 35 years of service he retired with the Department Of Forestry. He served very proudly in the U. S. Air Force, based at Castle AFB. He met and married Lucretia Sharp of Dos Palos, CA. One week after his discharge he was back fighting forest fires in the Riverside Ranger Unit. In 1971 he relocated to Dos Palos and opened up a new Department Of Forestry station at Hammond Ranch, then later relocated to Mid Valley Fire Station in the Redfern Ranch property on Brannon Rd.

He will be dearly missed for his practical jokes, sense of humor, love for his family and keeping everything "spit -shined". Preceeded in death by a newborn son Joey Edwards. He is survived by three daughters and their spouses Karen and Kenny Crutcher of Dos Palos; Renee and Freddie Altamirano of Hollister; Tammy and Brent DuBose of Ft. Worth, TX, and former son-in-law Ronnie Davis of Ft. Worth, TX. His is also survived by his "sweetie" Marie Weagel of Corning, CA and his first wife Lucretia Edwards.

Graveside services will be held at the Dos Palos District Cemetery on Tuesday, October 26th at 2:00 p.m. to which friends are invited. A celebration of His Life will follow. Donations are preferred to the William & Inez Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility-Southside, 911 Sunset Drive, Suite A, Hollister 95023 or in care of Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister 95023. (831 637-3757)Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences