Lum Caswell Edwards III

1960 - 2021

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Lum Caswell Edwards III on January 15, 2021. Lum was born on October 6, 1960 and had an extremely happy childhood filled with love, superheroes, and the fantastic.

Young Lum was mesmerized by magic, and with his twin sisters, Allison and Catherine as his assistants, he became the "Great Luminee" performing local venues, kids' birthday parties and family events. He never, ever revealed the secrets to his various illusions, much to the consternation of his many friends. "Magicians never tell their secrets!"

Lum attended Sallie Curtis Elementary School, Marshall Junior High School, and Forest Park High School.

Spurred by the 1966 Batman television show, Lum became an enthusiastic comic book, Star Trek, Star Wars, Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, The Night Stalker, and Planet of the Apes fan. He was well read and devoured history, comics, science fiction, and fantasy novels. During his teen years he spent copious amounts of time writing stories and drawing comics, and by way of his love for cinema he made Super 8 movies, both stop motion animation and live action. He attended many comic conventions in Houston, where he would expand his collection of comics and books, and original comic art, while meeting the many artists and writers whom he admired.

As a student at Forest Park High School, Lum illustrated the school yearbook with beautiful black and white and color illustrations. During this same time, he co-produced Infinity, a fanzine, with his friend George Pratt, filled with their art and stories which they sold throughout the United States.

Lum had a zest for life, whether it was getting paint in his eye high on scaffolding in the Jefferson Theater (his great-grandfather was the General Manager) while recreating the Art Deco design on the ceiling, dodging spears from mud-throwing Incas, or diving out of a mail truck going 25 miles an hour. He embraced it all.

Lum attended Trinity University in San Antonio and graduated With Honors from Lamar University with a BA in Graphic Design.

After a short stint in the world of advertising with Ann Lee & Associates he joined the family business, J.S. Edwards & Sherlock in 1988. He became a partner in the agency in 2012.

In addition to his career in Insurance, Lum still made time for Civic and Volunteer work within the community. He was on the Board of Magnolia Cemetery as well as the board of the Southeast Texas Family Resource Center. His father, Lum Jr., was also on the board and helped found the Center. Lum was a mentor in the "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Beaumont and was a ROAR Volunteer - (a BISD program whose goal is promoting reading and increasing reading proficiency). He also spent a considerable amount of his career as an active member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont.

Lum was an avid runner and completed several full and half marathons. He loved attending concerts and music was a significant part of his life (he was a hardcore Beatles and Eagles fan). Some of his most memorable concerts were those he shared with his sisters.

Later in life, he loved cooking for the family and hosting celebratory parties. Lum never met a stranger, always had a ready smile, and really loved to share his passions with others.

Lum was a man of great honesty and integrity, which he instilled in his two sons Joseph and Andrew whom he loved with all his heart. He was unbelievably proud of his sons and was thrilled to welcome daughters-in-law, Leslie and Chandler into his family. His grandson William absolutely stole his heart.

Lum met Gerry Wiggins, the love of his life, in 2006 and they were married in 2014. These were some of the happiest days of his life. Lum and Gerry loved making memories together including trips to Napa Valley, many weekends together in Houston, taking family trips including visiting their children in the Washington D.C. area and hosting family and friends at their home.

Lum was all about not wasting a minute, living the dream, and treating every moment like a celebration.

Lum is survived by his wife, Gerry Edwards; sons, Joseph Edwards and his wife Leslie and Andrew Edwards and his wife Chandler; grandson, William Caswell Edwards; uncle, Martin Edwards and his wife Melissa; sister, Allison Brocato and her husband Jim; sisters - in - law, Maureen Winchell, Kathleen Hambright and her husband Robert, Carol Hearn and her husband Donald, and Jo Bienvenu and her husband Mike; cousins, Seawillow Edwards, Gabriele Sausnock, and Scott Minton and his wife Shelly; nieces and nephews, Anna Brocato, Catherine Brocato, Shanda Kahla and her husband Toby, Jacob Thompson and his wife Summer, Gerry Kaye Salvaggio and her husband Joel, Sarah Wells and her husband Seth, Donald William Hearn and his wife Crystal, Blake Royer and Jamie Bailey, Rosemary Hambright and Phoebe Hambright; and lifelong friend, George Pratt.

Lum was preceded in death by his parents Mary Ann and Lum Caswell Edwards, Jr. and sister, Catherine Edwards.

Lum will forever be in our hearts. Devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather,

A gathering of Mr. Edwards' family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 20, 2021, outdoors at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont. A private family service is scheduled and will be under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.