Edward Dunn Stedman Jr.

EDWARD DUNN STEDMAN, JR., a lifetime resident of Beaumont, Texas passed away on February 16, 2007, after a lengthy illness at the age of 80. Born December 8, 1926, the son of Edward Dunn Stedman and Marjorie Blakeney Stedman, he was a prominent businessman, who led his life with integrity and purpose whether it was with his family, through his business, or as an avid outdoorsman. His family remembers him as a gentleman and a man of character, with the spirit for good honest fun. He is survived by his wife of twenty-two years, Christine N. Stedman; his three children, Edward Dunn Stedman, III and his wife Becki of Beaumont, Ann Stedman Roberts and her husband Kevin of Dallas, Culver Griswold Stedman and his wife Joan of Houston; his two step-daughters, Julie Louise Long of Houston and Kendall L. Walker and her husband Wayne of The Woodlands; and his ten grandchildren: Edward Dunn Stedman IV and his wife Katie of Austin, Max Hamilton Stedman, Riley Day Roberts and Caroline McFerrin Roberts of Dallas, Culver Griswold Stedman II and Andrew Holmes Stedman of Houston, Aaron Christine Bearden and her husband Jeff of The Woodlands, Heather Anne Rifley, Casey Christine Walker and Brandon Kyle Walker of Austin. Ed and Chris also enjoyed their precious great granddaughters, Ava Louise Bearden and Bria Denise Bearden. He is also survived by his sister, Susanne Stedman King and her husband John Helms King of Dallas, and by numerous nieces and nephews. Growing up, Ed worked at the Stedman Fruit Company with his grandfather and father. After attending Beaumont High School, he served in the US Naval Reserves for two years. He attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and later graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in business. After college he worked for the Stedman Fruit Company where he rose to the position of President. The company later merged with Malone and Hyde and shortly thereafter, Ed formed the Stedman Company, a family investment business. In 1974, Ed and his lifelong friend Dick Munro formed the Golden Triangle Paper Stock Company. Active in civic affairs, Ed served as a director of the Texas Commerce Bank, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Texas Wholesale Grocer's Association, the Licensed Beverage Distributors of Texas, the Wine & Spirits Foundation of Louisiana, and the YMCA of Beaumont Texas. He also served the Central City Development Corporation of Beaumont as a trustee and later president, the Board of Governors National American Wholesale Association and St. Elizabeth Hospital Board of Advisory. As a lifelong member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Ed served as a member of the Vestry and as Senior Warden. He was appointed to the Diocesan Executive Board and served three years on the Financial Board at Camp Allen. Ed was appointed director of UBI Caritas, a health care charity. Another passion of Ed's was education and he served on the Board of Trustees at All Saints Episcopal School. He was also an Eagle Scout and past member of the Executive Board of Three Rivers Council of BSA. A lifelong outdoorsman, Ed loved hunting not only in Texas, but around the world. Sheep hunting was his true passion. His pursuit for trophy sheep culminated with his collection of the famed Grand Slam and Super Slam. Ed loved the Gulf Coast where he enjoyed fishing for trout with his regular fishing group. Ed also loved hunting duck, deer and quail, especially with his wife, sons and grandchildren. Of the many gifts Ed left was the talent for cooking on the Old Smokey. In 1984 Ed donated his magnificent collection of African trophies and sheep to Lamar University. Ed's fame as a trophy hunter is documented by his collection of outstanding animals. As one tribute to his reputation as a remarkable sportsman, he was rewarded the National Rifle Association's Leatherstocking Award honoring the top trophy animal taken on the North American Continent in 1976, which put him in the Boone and Crockett Record Book. Along with his civic contributions, Ed was past president of the One In One Hundred Gun Club, a past member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Thief Program, and a director of the Sportsman Club of Texas and the Houston Safari Club. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances and contributions be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or the charity of their choice. BROUSSARD MORTUARY Beaumont, TX (409) 832-1621