Tracy Wayne Edwards

Tracy Wayne Edwards DUMAS-Tracy Wayne Edwards, 85 of Dumas, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Howe, pastor of the church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Dumas Cemetery. There will be a family visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, at the funeral home. Services are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors. Tracy Wayne Edwards was born on Sept. 15, 1929, on a dry-land cotton farm outside Littlefield, Texas, to Dick and Ruth Edwards. The strong work ethic he exhibited throughout his life was instilled in him on the cotton farm and only strengthened as he made his own way in the world he left Feb. 7, 2015. After high school he moved to Amarillo where he attended Amarillo College and worked for Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. That job took him to Dumas in 1949 which remained his home the rest of his life. Wayne married Fern Covington on Jan. 28, 1951, and they remained sweethearts for 64 years. In 1953 he took a job with Scott Spencer Motors and discovered his true passion - sales. Wayne was recruited in 1957 by Steve Johnston Chevrolet where he remained until 1964 when he partnered with Warren Witt to open Witt-Edwards Pontiac and Buick. In 1972 he realized his long-term dream to operate his own dealership when he and Fern purchased McLaughlin Motors and opened Edwards Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge. Edwards Motors is now operated by their son, Gary. Some would say his talent was for selling cars, but it actually was for selling anything from Dogie Days barbecue tickets to major capitol campaigns for community projects like the first YMCA building and Window on the Plains Museum. Wayne was the longest-serving and original member of the museum board, one of many signs of his ongoing dedication to Dumas and Moore County Despite his desire to work in the background, leadership positions came to Wayne throughout his life. He was Sunday School Superintendent, Methodist Youth Fellowship sponsor, and member of the Board of Stewards for First Methodist Church. He later served First Baptist Church as a deacon, Chairman of the Deacon Board, and member of the Baptist Men's Organization. He served as president of numerous organizations including the Dumas Jaycees, Dumas Noon Lion's Club, Moore County Hospital Board for nine years and the long-range planning committee for the City of Dumas. He was a director of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, served on the Chrysler Corporation Dealer's Council and was Panhandle Representative on the Chrysler Corporation Dealers Association. He served on the Dumas Industrial Development Board, City Zoning Board, Moore County Fair Association board and the United Way where he headed the Special Division for two years reaching 100 percent of goal. Wayne actively lived by the words he taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, If someone knows you did something nice for them, it doesn't count. Only those acts done anonymously count in God's eyes. Although he never sought or was really comfortable with recognition, his kind acts were too vast to avoid notice. The list of his awards and achievements is extensive and include the Lions Club Melvin Jones Service Award and lifetime membership, Old Timer of the Year, lifetime member of the US Jaycees, Citizen of the year, Joyce Dillow Heritage Award and the Good Neighbor Award. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Peggy; and his older brother, Melvin. He is survived by his wife; daughters, Belinda Brice of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Teresa Edwards of Austin; sons, Tracy Edwards and Frieda Henderson of Lubbock, and Gary Edwards of Dumas; and sisters, Charlsie Underwood of Austin and Betty Secker of Dallas. He was not only a grandfather, but also an incomparable influence on his four grandsons, Brad and Heidi Brice of Orlando, FL, Lee and Kellie Brice of Orlando, FL, Taylor Edwards of Lubbock and Alex Edwards of Lubbock, as well as great-grandsons, Jackson Brice, Garret Brice and Leyton Brice, and great-granddaughter, Emma Brice. He made friends easily and many were considered family. His legacy will be lived out in the vast array of lives he impacted and changed just by being generous.