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Ian Edward Obituary

Ian Murray Edward passed away at home on February 1, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Ian was born May 6, 1946, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to Scottish immigrant parents Christine and Ian Edward. The family moved to Boynton Beach, Florida when Ian was in elementary school. He graduated from Florida State University and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed the officer candidacies program and parachutist training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in the Army Ranger training program at Fort Benning before being deployed to Vietnam. He served on a Mobile Advisory Team and as Team XO of the Province Team while in Vietnam. Ian completed a master's program at Florida State University and moved to Memphis where he began a lifelong career at the University of Memphis Library. He served as Department Head of Acquisitions until his retirement in 2008. He became a Master Gardener and logged many volunteer hours at Dixon and the Lichterman Nature Center. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of cinema and was quick to recommend movies and current books to his friends. Ian was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jim. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara; daughters, Mairi Albertson (Eric), Kristen Griffy (Charles), and grandchildren, Maya Griffy and Ian Griffy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Memphis Union Mission or to the Mid-South Food Bank. A memorial gathering will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, February 7 at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. Celebration of life service at West Tennessee Veteran Cemetery will be held at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Memphian on Feb. 4, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Ian Edward

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4 Entries

B. J. Parker

February 6, 2025

Ian was my best friend in school and after until I moved to Minnesota and he to Memphis. One memory that popped up was I think from junior high. Ian had a fear of the dark so one night he snuck out of his house and spent the night in a grave yard! Brave lad.

Amy Harrison

February 6, 2025

My deepest condolences to Ian's family and the Griffy family. I am keeping your entire family in my thoughts.

Jim & Gina Fortune

February 6, 2025

Barbara, Jim & I are so sorry. Keeping you and your entire family in our prayers. The Fortunes

Mary Freilich

February 4, 2025

Our deepest condolences to Barbara and family. Ian brightened up my day at the library with his sense of humor. He was truly one of the "good guys". Mary&Mark

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Memphis Funeral Home - Poplar

5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119

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