James Edwards

James "Jimbo" Edwards died Dec. 9, 2010, in Gainesville, Fla.

He was born March 19, 1986, in Anchorage.

After graduating from Service High School in 2004, he followed his brother across the country to Gainesville, Fla.

Prior to his first semester at Santa Fe Community College, he worked as "Oakey the Turtle" at the Oaks Mall in Gainesville. He loved it when little kids would run up and wrap their arms around his knees. He earned his AA degree from Santa Fe in 2008 and at the time of his death was a senior at the University of Florida. He planned to attend medical school and practice psychiatry; he possessed a special gift for relating to and helping others. Outside of the classroom he was very involved in student government and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville.

Jimbo was baptized at Suwannee Baptist Church in 2000 by his uncle, Pastor Fred Edwards.

He is survived by his mother, Melanie Wheelright Edwards of Anchorage; father and stepmother, Sam Edwards and Margaret Volz of Wasilla; brothers, Eric Edwards of Denver and Bill Edwards of Minneapolis; and grandmothers, Geri Wheelright of Anchorage and Betty Sue Edwards of Suwannee, Fla. Also sharing their grief are his "adopted" brother, Joe Moody; former sister-in-law, Esther Massey Edwards; many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and last, but not least, his dog, Gonzo.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa; and his grandfathers, Robert "Bob" Wheelright and William "Bill" Edwards.

Jimbo could best be described as kind, tender, generous, humble, fun-loving and more than a little stubborn. Jim's laughter, humor, love and warmth were appreciated and are already missed by his familyand friends. Jimbo had a tattoo of a dove memorializing his sister Lisa and, his family said, "we are comforted in the knowledge that they are together."

Arrangements are through Goodings Funeral Home in Cross City, Fla. There will be a graveside service at Fort White Cemetery on Wednesday at 1 p.m. In addition, his Alaska family and friends will gather at a later date in Anchorage.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Crisis Center in Gainesville, any other suicide prevention services in your community or an animal rescue organization.