Edward Rountree

Edward Archibald Rountree passed peacefully from this life early on the morning of July 6, 2011 after a very brief illness. He is sorely missed by his children; Mickey Rountree and his wife, Linda; Susan Gentry and her husband, W.C.; and Robin Dunn and her husband, Mike. Ed's youngest child, Donna, preceded him in death. He was also loved greatly by seven grandchildren: Michael Rountree, Randi Rountree Mathieu, Jennifer Gentry Fernandez, Stephanie Gentry Burns, Allison Gentry Hiers, Betsy Dunn Williams, and Bradley Dunn. Ed was blessed with eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who will always love him. Edward (or Eddie as he was known to many) was born in Waycross, GA on March 26, 1926 to Lester V. and Marybelle Archibald Rountree and he was the second of three sons, the oldest was William (known as Billy), and the youngest was Lester (known as Bucky). Ed and his family moved to Jacksonville, FL where he attended Andrew Jackson High School and married the late Doris Loper Rountree. In 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and honorably served during WWII. Upon discharge, he became a Railway Mail Clerk and sorted and distributed mail throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. He loved recalling these days as he grew older and often called their names as we drove on vaction in those areas. As the railway mail service was phased out, Ed developed expertise in photography and became the Audio Visual Specialist at the Jacksonville Central Post Office. In 1969, he took a major promotion to a similar position at the Postal Service Management Institute in Maryland, where he and his family lived until his retirement in 1986. After retiring, Ed purchased a motor home and set out to play golf in every state! After more than four years, he had played every state except Hawaii and North Dakota, taking out time each fall to come back and spend the holiday season with his children and grandchildren. Since Ed never met a stranger, he formed many cherished friendships during his time on the road. One of these friends was Maxine McGathey, who cared for him during his final days. After touring the country, Ed decided that the high desert area near Redmond, Oregon was the best place to "park it and play golf". He bought a home and made many wonderful friends in Oregon over the last 20 happy years of his life. During those years, Ed came home to Jacksonville in the winter months and spent time with his growing family. He enjoyed this independent lifestyle right up to his passing in Redmond, OR. If you had the privilege of knowing and thereby loving Ed Rountree, you are a better person for it and we, his family, hope you will cherish his memory forever. Ed was very proud of his granddaughter's training to participate in a 100-mile bike ride in memory of her late Aunt Donna and to benefit MS research. Randi will ride now in memory of both Donna and her beloved "Pops" on July 23 and 24. We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to this fundraising ride. The address is: MS Society of Canada, 1100 Dearness Dr., Unit 20, London, ON N6E 1N9. Donations may also be made at the following website: http://bit.ly/pgpZcs or to the North Florida Chapter of the MS Society at www.NationalMSSociety.org/FLN. A memorial service honoring the incredible life of Edward A. Rountree will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011, at HARDAGE-GIDDENS OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd.