Michael Lynn Edwards

1943 - 2023

Michael Lynn Edwards
June 15, 1943 - January 20, 2023
Bradenton, Florida -
Michael L. Edwards, proprietor of Manatee River Groves and Lakewood Storage, has died at age 79. The longtime resident of Bradenton, Florida, passed away in hospice care in the early morning hours of Friday, January 20, 2023.
A third generation citrus grower, Edwards founded and operated Manatee River Groves for over 40 years. The business started in the late 1970s as a roadside citrus and souvenir shop on the corner of US-301 and South Tamiami Trail in southeast Bradenton. In 1991, with sprawling development and changes in the industry, Edwards closed the retail side of the business and moved Manatee River Groves' citrus packing facility to FL-64 and Lorraine Road.
In 2001, Edwards started converting the Lorraine Road property into a personal storage facility, featuring boat and RV parking, opening Lakewood Storage. The business expanded over the years, anticipating the rapid growth of the Lakewood Ranch community. Lakewood Storage would be Edwards' primary business until its sale, and his retirement, in 2016.
Edwards was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1943 to Arthur Tillis Edwards and Theordora Wood Edwards. He attended Lakeland High School (class of 1961) and the University of Florida (class of 1964), where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
Edwards met Linda Meredith while at Lakeland High. They were married August 15, 1963 and remained partners until Linda's passing in August of 2013. In 1966, their first son, Scott Michael Edwards, was born. Jay Wade Edwards followed in 1968.
An avid outdoorsman, Edwards loved turkey hunting, quail hunting with his dogs, and fishing with his wife and sons. Around 2000, Mike and Linda had the opportunity to go salmon fishing in Alaska. Tampa Tribune sports editor Tom McEwan was also on the trip. In his book PRESS PASS, McEwan wrote, "Linda Edwards, a petite blonde from Bradenton, caught the biggest king salmon, a 55-pounder... On the same day, Mike Edwards- around Bradenton and Palmetto, said to be a master fisherman- finally boated what was easily the ugliest catch, a 44-pound king... who Edwards kissed on the nose, but not the mouth."
Mike L. Edwards is survived by his sons; Scott and Jay; and his brother, David.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike Edwards' name can be made to PACE (https://www.pacecenter.org/locations/florida/manatee).