Robert L. Edwards

A Loving Tribute to Robert L. Edwards
With hearts full of love and sorrow, we, the family of Robert L. Edwards, share the news of his passing on August 17, 2025, at the age of 97, in Kenedy, Texas. Sometimes known as R.L., he was a tireless provider, a masterful craftsman, and a person who loved to travel. He filled our lives with lessons, stories, and unbreakable bonds. He was a man of unwavering dedication, working 37 years for Chevron Oil Company, where his strong hands and steadfast spirit built a foundation for our family. But it was in his workshop and on the open road where his heart truly shone. A gifted craftsman, he breathed new life into Model A Fords and Volvos, his fingers coaxing rusted frames into gleaming treasures. As a proud member of the Model A Club in Victoria, he'd spend hours in his shop, surrounded by the hum of tools and the laughter of grandchildren, teaching his family the value of patience and precision. We'll never forget the sparkle in his eye when he fired up a restored Model A, grinning as he said, "She's ready to roll," or the way he'd let a grandchild "help" polish a fender, their tiny hands guided by his steady ones.
Every summer, he and his wife, Tommie Lou, hitched up their Airstream for adventures with their children, weaving across the US creating memories that became our family's heartbeat. We can still see him at the campsite, teaching us to build a fire, his voice steady as he shared tales of where we were going next. "The world's bigger than you think," he'd say, and with him, we believed it.
His farm and shop were his haven, where he worked on his old cars, or just sat with his thoughts in the beginnings of what he had built for a cabin. Grandchildren remember the afternoons when he'd gather them around an old tractor, recounting an adventure, real or imagined, with a twinkle in his eye, or the quiet lessons he taught to them sitting by an old potbellied stove. He taught us to work hard, to fix what's broken, and to hold tight to family. Those moments-his calloused hand on ours, his laughter echoing through the barn-are etched in our souls.
Robert is preceded in death by his cherished daughter, Rhonda Nyquist, and beloved granddaughter, Meleese Class, and we find comfort knowing he's reunited with them, perhaps tinkering on a heavenly Model A. He leaves behind his devoted wife of many years, Tommie Lou, whose love was his anchor; his children, Karen Reynolds (Jim), Robert Edwards (Jessica), Tracy Edwards (Moon), and Loretta Thiele (Dale); his nine treasured grandchildren; and twelve adored great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry his spirit in every adventure, and every quiet moment under the stars.
We extend our deepest gratitude to his caregivers-Eloisa Valdez, Ruby Villanueva, Cynthia Seals, Eva Morin, Jennifer Snyder, Veronica Serrano, Michaela Rodriguez, and Taelynn Sellers-whose compassion and care surrounded him with love in his final days.
We invite all who knew Robert to join us in celebrating his extraordinary life at a visitation from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas, followed by graveside services at Pawnee Cemetery.
Dad, Grandpa, you were our compass, our storyteller, our home. We see you in every gleaming chrome bumper, every open road, every campfire's glow. You taught us to work hard, to love fiercely, and to live with a heart wide open. We love you always, and we'll carry you with us until we meet again, cruising in an Airstream across the heavens.
Forever yours,
Your Loving Children and Grandchildren