Duane Edwards

GREENVILLE -- Duane R. "Lum" Edwards, 75, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023, at Wayne HealthCare in Greenville.

He was born on November 5, 1947, in Greenville, to the late Delbert R. and Satie (Flaler) Edwards.

In addition to his parents, Lum was preceded in death by his wife, Tonia "Toni" (Van Dyke) Edwards, whom he married on February 16, 1968 and who passed away on January 11, 2017; and his daughter, Cassandra Campbell.

Lum is survived by his daughter, Dawn (David) Duff of Covington, Ohio; his grandsons, Jacob (Stacey Phillips) Campbell of Oscoda, Michigan and Lucas Campbell of Ann Arbor, Michigan; his girlfriend, Vickie Gossard of Celina, Ohio; his sister, Marcia Edwards of Greenville; his nephew, Matt Miller of Union City, Ohio; his niece, Tiffany Miller of Greenville; his great nephew, Dakota Miller of Greenville; and countless pulling family and friends.

Lum was a 1965 graduate of Greenville High School. He worked as an assembly technician for the Union City Body Company for 47 years, until his retirement. Lum adored his family and loved spending as much time as possible with them. Children would always light up his face. Lum wore many hats throughout his life, one that he was most proud of was the distinct red hat that he wore during the holiday season as he brought Christmas joy to many families over the years.

Lum had a heart of gold and deeply care about all those whom he came in contact with. His passion for helping others showed greatly with his involvement and work with the Cancer Association of Darke County, where he served on their Board of Directors. Lum was also dedicated to the wellbeing of our county and the communities within. He volunteered as a poll worker for the Board of Elections and would also help each year at the Darke County Fair election. Lum spent many years volunteering for the Darke County Solid Waste District and was a founding member of the Keep Darke County Beautiful group.

Lum owned and operated Black Sheep Announcing and was known throughout Ohio and Indiana for his distinct voice as he spent over 34 years announcing for the National Tractor Pullers Association, Darke County Tractor Pullers Association, and the Hoosier State Tractor Pullers Association. He was a past president and founding member of the DCTPA. In 2013, Duane was inducted into the DCTPA Hall of Fame, a title for which he was immensely proud of. In addition to the NTPA, DCTPA, and HSTPA, Lum was also a member of the National Hot Rod Association.

Along with pulling tractors and trucks, Lum had a deep appreciation for antique tractors and farm machinery. He was actively involved in the Greenville Power of the Past, where he served as a director. He was a member of the Greenville Lodge No 329 Loyal Order of Moose, Union City Heritage Days Committee, Greenville FFA Alumni, and the Greenville High School Alumni Association.

If Lum was not at a pull or in a meeting, he could be found at Grand Lake St. Mary's at the Moose or Eagles watching the sun set, listening to local music, especially 127 North, or enjoying a cold diet coke.

A celebration of Lum's life will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday January 29, 2023 at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus, with Pastor Terry Haworth officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Jefferson.

Guests may visit with Duane's family on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 12:00 PM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. A Lodge of Sorrow, conducted by the Greenville Moose Lodge, will take place at 7:45 PM on Friday.

The family request that those who are joining them for the visitation and service to dress causal and wear your favorite tractor pulling shirt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Darke County, P.O. Box 781, Greenville, Ohio 45331, or the Union City, Ohio Fire and Rescue Association, 401 E. Elm, Union City, Ohio 45390.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.tributefuneralhomes.com.