John Orin Edson

1932 - 2020

BORN

1932

DIED

2020

John Edson Obituary

John Orin Edson

John Orin Edson passed away peacefully on August 27, 2019, with his wife, Charlene A. Edson, by his side.

The second son of Arthur Allen Edson and Alice Eliza Barber, Orin was born in Bellingham, Washington, on May 8, 1932.

Orin was a pioneer in the recreational boating industry who managed to parlay his first business - selling used boats out of a parking lot - into Advance Outboard Marine, at one time the dominant boat retailer in the Seattle market. Then, in the early 1960s, Orin purchased the brand name Bayliner from a boat builder in Tacoma for $100.

Over the next two decades, Orin built the Bayliner Marine Corp. into the largest and most successful boat-manufacturing company in the world.

Orin was never one to boast about his accomplishments. If he was proud of anything, it was in making high-quality boats at an affordable price. He loved to make the joys of boating available and affordable to the average-income family.

Orin sold Bayliner to Brunswick Corp. in 1986. He later purchased and revitalized the yacht-building company, Westport Yachts.

An enthusiast of anything to do with being on the water or in the air, Orin was an accomplished pilot and adventurer. Orin had a passion for enjoying life. He and Charlene spent many summers traveling the inside passage to Alaska and British Columbia or cruising Europe and the Caribbean.

Orin felt strongly about giving back and quietly turned his attention to philanthropy. He and Charlene supported medical research in cancer and dementia-related illnesses, animal welfare, education and mentorship for entrepreneurs, and education for those pursuing jobs in the boat-building industry.

Through his J. Orin Edson Foundation and through personal gifts, he gave to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Mayo Clinic Arizona and Arizona State University, among many other entities. He founded the Northwest Organization for Animal Help, which is dedicated to stopping the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable homeless dogs and cats. His latest gift was to support ASU's multidisciplinary research on dementia and to enhance education and training for nurses and caregivers in the field.

His first wife, Helen Grace Alexander, and his sister, Mary Jane Shdo, preceded Orin in death.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene; his sons from his first marriage, John Michael Edson, born January 10, 1957, and Mark Alexander Edson, born June 23, 1959; grandsons Alexander Jonathon Edson, born May 12, 1993, and John Michael Edson, born April 18, 2000; his brother Walter Allen Edson; and sister Carol Ann Edson. Sign Orin's Guest Book at www.Legacy.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Feb. 11 to Feb. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Edson

Sponsored by The Family.

3 Entries

Scott Prinz

June 15, 2020

One of my favorite people Ive ever met.

Charming, open minded, enthusiastic and strong willed. I always bought what Orin was selling.

I began my flying journey at age 40 after I retired from Tech. In 2000, I visited Scottsdale airport. Charlene flew Orin over from their house in the Bell Helicopter ... and, or course, I bought his plane.

We kept in touch either through his pilot Al C. or directly. Always funny conversations.

In retirement, I consulted for Cirrus aircraft, and at Orins request, I connected him with the founders of Cirrus on a -28 degree Duluth, MN afternoon. We laughed about how old I was getting and how his Falcon 900 better start in this cold weather.

Years later, I moved to the Jackson Hole area, there he was again in the hangar next to mine, and Rich S. + Harrisons. We laughed, and about 24 hours later I bought his plane. It seemed I had an affinity for PM (Pacific Marine) tail numbers.

One day we stopped by their Jackson area hangar to say hello, and to share a goodbye. My wife and I were heading away from the Teton Valley so she could begin her pre-med studies. Orin enthusiastically claimed the only place to become a physician is ASU. I told him - well see you there!

Im so sorry his loss. My sincere condolences to Charlene and the rest of his family and friends.

As we finally relocate to Arizona this fall, so my wife can attend medical school, I feel sad I couldnt have arrived 10 years sooner.

I know we cant live forever, but some people have such a tremendous impact on an entire industry, and their philanthropy enables so many others to reach their goals...I dont know why not.

CEO of Reinell Boats

Thomas Lynott

February 16, 2020

Orin was one of the greatest friends a man could have. I first met him when I was auctioning off the assets of Reinell's wood boat business and he was bidding on equipment and boats. We later became friends and friendly competitors and took cruises in the San Juans together with our wives. I learned a lot from Orin, the most succinct being.."Your business success is assured by delivering maximum value to the customer." He did that in spades and the rest is history. I will miss him terribly.

N. S.

February 12, 2020

My deepest sympathy to the family of John Edson. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief.
Psalm 94:17-19

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