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Isaac Jackson "Jack" Edwards

Isaac Edwards Obituary

Isaac Jackson "Jack" Edwards died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be held at St. James United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. A visitation celebrating his life will be on Wednesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the home of the Don Edwards Family, 321 DuPont Circle, Greenville. Jack was born on June 11, 1924 in Charlotte to Glena E. Edwards and Isaac Jackson Edwards Sr. He attended Greenville City Schools and graduated from Greenville High School in 1942. Jack served in the United States Army during World War II and earned the rank of Second Lieutenant at the age of 20. After the war years, he returned to North Carolina, enrolled at Carolina, then married the love of his life, Rachel Fleming. Jack graduated from the UNC-CH in 1949 with a degree in journalism. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He later received a Masters in Business from East Carolina College. Jack began his business career as manager of his family business, Edwards Auto Supply. In the late 1950's he joined the faculty in the Business Department of East Carolina and later served as Placement Director. In 1963, he and Rachel opened the Book Barn in downtown Greenville. In 1968, they established the University Book Exchange, which has grown to be one of the most successful privately owned college bookstores in America. Jack, who was an avid Rotarian for over 50 years, served as the 1980-1981 Governor of District 773. He was a founder of the Greenville Noon Rotary Club in 1981. Jack was honored by the Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow, supported the Foundation and encouraged other Rotarians to do so. He established the Rotary Group Study Exchange program for the district. Perhaps the most enthusiastic fan in ECU history, Jack was a charter member of the Century Club, now Pirate Club, founded in 1963. He served as president of both the ECU Pirate Club and the ECU Foundation. He was a life member of the Pirate Club, member of the Chancellor's Society, and The Order of the Cupola at ECU. As a life-long swimmer, Jack won many state championships and held many state records in the North Carolina Senior Games. He was a charter member of the St. James United Methodist Church and was an active member for over fifty years. Jack and Rachel had much fun traveling the world together and reached their goal of visiting all 50 states. As ham radio operator, W4DXJ, he connected families and friends from all over the world for many, many years. He enjoyed the Pamlico River all of his life, and for many years conducted a Sunday School class under the "big oak tree." Jack was named both the "Citizen of the Year" and the "Small Business Leader of the Year" by the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, and he was honored as "Man of the Year" by the Boy Scouts of America. Jack served his community with pride and loved to contribute with his time and talents. He truly never met a stranger and spread happiness wherever he went. Jack loved to make people laugh with his jokes and stories and had a way of making everyone feel very special. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and was very proud of his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Edwards. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Rachel Fleming Edwards; daughter, Nancy Edwards; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Judy Edwards; grandchildren, Jack, Meredith, and Claire Edwards; sister, Mabel E. Minges; and nieces, Terry Minges Bryant and Connie Minges Bond. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Pirate Club, Ward Sports Medicine Building, Greenville, NC 27858 or St. James United Methodist Church, 2000 E. Sixth St., Greenville, NC 27858 or PCMH Foundation, PO Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835 or Uptown Greenville, PO Box 92, Greenville, NC 27835.

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Published by The Daily Reflector on Apr. 10, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Isaac Edwards

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Cheryl Freuler

April 16, 2007

Don & Judy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Your father was a wonderful man and will always be remembered for all he did for Greenville and ECU.

Very Sincerely,
Cheryl Freuler

John Wooten, Jr.

April 15, 2007

Dear Don and the Edwards family,
I am genuinely saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Jack Edwards. He was always able to communicate from the heart, and cared about other people. Heartfelt condolences.

Charles Farley

April 15, 2007

Mr. Jack was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met. He was one of the best Presidents of Brook Valley Homeowners Association that we have had to date. He served with me in 1995 and was of invaluable guidance and counsel. I was unaware that he entered the Army out of high school in the middle of full hostilities.
He must have saw some bloody battles to get a brevet promotion to Second Lietenant!
He never spoke of this.
What a man, what an example for our
generation.

Jeff, Sarah and Luke Swartz

April 14, 2007

We were so saddened to hear of Jack's passing, but know that he continues to share his many gifts with the company of Heaven. We will all miss his warmth and grace, and are indeed grateful that he shared his gifts on earth with us at church, through the University, and elsewhere.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with you all. May God surround you with His healing peace.

Michelle Hairston

April 12, 2007

Dear Mrs. Edwards, Don, Judy, and Family,
I just found out a few minutes ago about Mr. Edwards. I am so sorry and I'm sorry I didn't know sooner (I have been out of town) so I could attend his service. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. He was the epitome of a fine, Christian man and will be missed by everyone. May God keep his loving arms around all of you.
Michelle and Charlie Hairston

Mark & Gail Garner

April 12, 2007

Miss Rachel, Nancy, Don, Judy and family:
We shall certainly miss such a wonderful person as your husband & father. Not only was he a great "Pirate", but he was also a wonderful friend to anyone that met him. I never could imagine how one person could recall so many comical stories! May he rest in peace with the Father.

Asa Van Moore

April 12, 2007

I only knew Jack Edwards thru the column he wrote for The Daily Reflector. After graduating from GHS in 1947 I left Pitt County for the Air Force at age 17. His news from home was a great comfort for the next 7 years. I am so sorry that I never got to thank him personally.

Dr. Larry Price N4MGL

April 12, 2007

I met Jack on 2-meter ham radio in 1982 when I was a young teacher in Williamston. I am the Superintendent of Wilson County Schools and president of the Rotary Club of Greater Wilson. Jack was a wonderful person and a great American.

Jean wilkerson

April 11, 2007

Mrs. Edwards, Don and Judy, and Nancy,
My heart goes out to you and us all. A truly special man has gone home, with a job so well done. May we all live by his examples. My heartful prayers are with you.

Ellen Hollis

April 11, 2007

Don and Judy, I didn't know Jack, but feel as if I did after reading the wonderful tribute to him in the Daily Reflector. He was obviously much loved by his family, friends and community and contributed immeasurably to all of them. He will be missed. Ellen

Lee Sutton

April 11, 2007

Don,

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

The Suttons - Jerri, Lee and Brooks.

Harry Stubbs

April 11, 2007

My deepest and most sincere sympathies are extended to all the Edwards family during this time of grief and healing. Jack was a super person and GREAT supporter of our East Carolina University. He is and will be missed.

Candy Pearce

April 11, 2007

Dear Don

I am so sorry that your daddy is dead. I will miss him personally as will everyone who ever knew him. He was such a "trip". . .so cute and so funny and I never actually saw him in a bad mood.

It is amazing how much we miss our parents even when we know they might be glad not to still be here. You should always feel really good about how proud of you your daddy was and how much he respected the way you ran his business and the kind of man you are. He was a lucky man. His whole family visibly adored him and he was married to an amazing woman!

Knowing Jack Edwards has been good for everyone he ever met. I am glad to have been part of that group.

Love

Candy

Kay Getsinger

April 11, 2007

I can't imagine an ECU athletic event or the City of Greenville without Jack Edwards. He definitely left his mark. I was privileged to have known him.

Bea and Mike McConnell

April 11, 2007

Mike and I loved having the opportunity to know Papa Jack. One of the best memories is how he always honored Rachel. He set a great example in so many ways but best of all how he could love and be so dedicated to family.
We send our deepest sympathy.

Bob & Jan Manning

April 11, 2007

Dear Rachel
The passing of Jack reminds all of us to enjoy and make something of each day we spend on earth. Jan and I wish we had known you both much earlier in our lives. He and I have always shared a great passion for Rotary. We will pay special rememberance to Jack at our upcoming District Conference May 4-6 at Atlantic Beach both in our grand entrance of past governors and 1st ladies Friday night and at the Sunday morning "Celebration of Life". The world of Rotary, ECU, the business community, his wonderful family and hundreds of friends everywhere have lost "a great guy". I am honored to have known Jack Edwards. May God bless you and your family at this difficult time

John & Liz Furci

April 11, 2007

We were very saddened to hear of Jack's passing. He had a heart of gold. He always had a funny story or a word of wisdom to share. We will all miss his wonderful smile and his hearty laugh. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

Evelyn Branch

April 10, 2007

I am so sorry to hear about Jacks death. He will surely be missed. I knew Mr. Edwards when I worked at Planters Bank. He was a fine man and would light up the days.

Brad Sears

April 10, 2007

Rita and I are saddened to learn that we have lost a wonderful member of our Pirate Nation, a Past District Rotary Governor and a superb citizen. He leaves an empty space in our lives. We give thanks for the life of Jack, and we thank you,Rachel, and others in his family for sharing him with us. Rachel- Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless and stay in touch.

Jeff and Candie Wilson

April 10, 2007

Rachel,Don,and Nancy. We were greatly saddened to hear of your husband and father's demise this Easter. I always admired Jack and knew to look for him at any and all Pirate functions and sports events. He always had a bright smile on his face and greeted you with a personable charm. We are all so much better for having known Jack and share the sense of loss with all of you. God bless you and may His comforting spirit be with you always.

Lawrence Behr - K4JRZ

April 10, 2007

Rachel, I was very sad to hear of Jack's deatrh. I recall with fond memories evenings visiting the Shady Lane house in the '50's and being introduced to ham radio. You must have had the patience of Job to put up with all the radio squacks and squeals. A lot of good came from so many things that Jack did. Just for me, he was a huge factor in my future - and there were so many others. You will not be alone in missing this wonderful man. Best regards to your whole family.

Andrew Kilpatrick (K4YKZ)

April 10, 2007

Dear Rachel,

It is with great sadness that I learned of Jack's passing. I was just a teenager when I met you and Jack. Our church explorer troupe visited your home on Shady Lane, and Jack demonstrated the wonderful world of amateur radio to us. Not only that, but he had an old army code tape machine I could borrow to assist me in learning the Morse code. With encouragement from Jack, I reached a copy speed of 5 words per minute. Jack administered my FCC Amateur Novice test in 1958, there in your kitchen. A year later he gave me the 13 word per minute test in the same kitchen, and I advanced to a licensed Conditional Amateur radio operator. That led to a desire to be an electrical engineer, resulting in a BSEE from NC State and a career in electronics. I will always remember W4DXJ, Jack Edwards, as the caring "Elmer" who introduced me to an interesting hobby that led to a rewarding career. I am glad that my wife, Nell, had a chance to meet Jack - at poolside - several years ago when we came to Greenville for a high school class reunion. Your husband was indeed a great and unselfish person.

Sincerely,

Tom & Vashti Forrest

April 10, 2007

There are so many of us "ECU Pirates" spread everywhere, who remember Jack Edwards with deep affection and tremendous respect. We truly hope that Jack's family, and all of us who called him "friend," take comfort in knowing that our lives are just a little better for having known him.

Tom/Patsy Miller

April 10, 2007

We will think of you, Rachel, and your family this week as you share with them your grief. We are out of town for a week and will be unable to attend the funeral. More to you later.

Mack Simpson

April 10, 2007

I feel such sadness for you with Jack's death. At the same time, I feel joy for all the folks that had the privelege of knowing him. They didn't come any finer than Jack and they don't come any finer than the entire Edwards family! My prayers are with you all.

Mike Yorke

April 10, 2007

To me Jack Edwards was a poster boy for The Greatest Generation.

Thad Dove

April 10, 2007

To a true "Pirate". You will be missed

Gene & Sue Lanier

April 10, 2007

Dear Rachel & Family,
Our hearts truly go out to you in love upon your loss of one of the greatest, fun-loving, kindest, and finest men we have ever known. He always met us with a smile and concern for us and our children. We felt very fortunate to know you and Jack and include you among our first friends in Greenville.

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