James Edwards Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 22, 2025.
ODESSA - James "Jimmy" Kenneth Edwards, 84, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025 at his home in Odessa, Texas. Jimmy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Paula, three daughters, Kerri Sissney of Lynchburg, Virginia, Kristi Young of Odessa, Tx and Kelli Lindemann of Ft. Worth, Tx, 6 grandchildren, Ryan and Katelynn Sissney, Peyton and Parker Young, Emily and Benjamin Lindemann, brother, Danny Edwards of Canyon Lake, Tx, sister, Eva Bourrett of New Braunfels, Tx, and sister, Jonel Jorgensen, of Sacremento, California. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Sue Edwards, in laws, Mutt and Doris Fair, brother, Jim Edwards, his forever loving protective big sister, Jan Davison, and his always loyal three Snauzers, JJ, Schotzie and Addie.
Jimmy was born from very humble beginnings on August 23, 1940 in El Paso, Texas and was a graduate of Odessa High School. Jimmy was known for his quiet, reserved, polite, tender hearted, but very witty personality to those that knew him well. Jimmy had many colorful life experiences like being a pilot until he landed at the wrong airport and working as a welder on the Alaskan pipeline during summers to pay his way through law school at South Texas College of Law.
In the beginning of his legal career that spanned 55 years, Jimmy worked in the Ector County District Attorney's office as a prosecutor which forged his skills to run a successful law practice in Odessa in which he was very respected among his colleagues in the legal community and clients. During this time and throughout his career, he had a calling to help those who were facing hardships in life, particularly women and children, in which he was always providing pro bono services. Jimmy served as a Board member for the Clover House and the Boys and Girls Club. Jimmy also served as the Inspector of Hides and Animals of Ector County with his late dear friend, Tom Barker.
When Jimmy wasn't practicing law, some of the many "kicks" he was known for and enjoyed was being a 50 yard line season ticket holder since the 70's and attending all the Friday night MOJO football games, his letters to the Editor of the Odessa American, listening to Freddy Fender and the Texas Tornados, enjoying his Redman chew, his yearly caramel cheesecakes he baked for the staff at the Ector County courthouse, dehydrating fruits, and his small engine repair "business" in which he used the kitchen counter as his workbench. Jimmy was also a talented woodturner who handcrafted beautiful pieces of art that he displayed yearly at the Permian Basin Fair and Expo with many of his dear friends of the Commanche Trail Woodturners Club of Midland, Tx. And, he also enjoyed collecting and crushing cans and copper wire stripping for his latest hobby of anthill art. Jimmy was a man of many talents.
Dad, we send you with the highest honor you gave to those you were proud of....."atta boy!"
In lieu of flowers or cards, the family ask that a donation be made in his honor to Safe Place of the Permian Basin, 432-570-1465 or safeplacenow.com.