Gary Earnest Edwards

1947 - 2025

Born 9-21-47 in Monroe MI, to Earnest and Margaret Edwards, Gary died 5-17-25 in Frederick MD of complications from pneumonia. He is survived by daughters, Rachel Edwards and Natalie (Orfeo) Cellura, both of NYC, sister Peggy (David) Vaughn, nephew David Vaughn, niece Missy Myers and their children. A first generation college student, Gary graduated from Andrews University, obtained a MA from Yale and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University. He did additional work at Princeton and Johns Hopkins. A true Visionary, he pioneered the case for business ethics at the Ethics Resource Center in Washington DC in the '80s and '90s. Under Gary's leadership the ERC helped top defense firms, corporations, and governments develop robust ethics programs. His weekly radio broadcast "Ethics at Work" explored themes ranging from character education to public trust and corporate leadership. Gary later taught ethics at American University and University of Maryland. He cared deeply about this country and our Collective and individual responsibility to make a difference. Married to Karen Cosiba Edwards 1983-2003 and in a more recent 12-year relationship with partner Lisa H. Ambrose, he spent his last decade in Frederick semi-retired. He was a devoted father who delighted in helping his daughters develop their respective passions and talents. He kept current with their interests and showed up at every important event. A voracious reader Gary was never without a copy of TS Eliot's Four Quartets. He was a gifted writer, persuasive speaker, poetry, music and film lover. His friends and family remember him as a deep thinker with a lightening quick wit and brilliant sense of humor.

A celebration of life will be held at St Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Bethesda, Maryland on Monday, June 9th at 4:00 p.m. with a live stream recording via Facebook. In Lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to St Dunstans's where Gary was an active member for many years and served on the Vestry. www.StDunstansBethesda.org Gary Earnest Edwards