Edward W. Daumit

Daumit, Edward W. 73, of Jupiter Island, Florida, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, died at his home on May 19, 2012. The son of the late Evelyn Saleeby Daumit and Paul P. Daumit, he graduated from Clayton High School in 1956. The yearbook said Ed is gentlemanly and polite, clever and witty; he's all right. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1960 and later was president of the St. Louis Dartmouth Club. He joined his father in the family business, Daumit Stores. At his urging, the company expanded in St. Louis and Atlanta. He became its president and it became more profitable. Eventually, Ed realized that department stores were cutting into the business and closed it down. He moved his wife, children and animals to Hawaii. The animals included Irish Wolfhounds which he had raised and had shown at shows. Ed was successful in the real estate business there and also bought and operated a restaurant. He loved the restaurant but didn't like the 24 hour, seven day a week supervision that it required. He sold the business and returned to St. Louis. He became a stockbroker with Drexel Burnham, Lehman Brothers and finally Oppenheimer from which he retired after a stroke in 2004. Ed's condo was filled with unusual pieces of art and antiques. He could often be found in the Central West End shopping for various art objects and frequenting the restaurants. He had a love for exotic cars, gourmet cooking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, traveling and parties. He loved to cook for his friends (lamb shanks especially). Ed maintained his sense of humor and was always fun. He was greatly admired for his spirit and determination to make a life for himself in spite of his paralysis. Generous to a fault, he will be sorely missed by many. He would want everyone to have a party in his memory, so drink a toast to Ed. He is survived by his two sons, Paul and David. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in his memory. And remember Ed by these words that he always said at the end of his phone calls, Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, carpe diem, or enjoy life.