John Byron Edwards' Obituary
John “Byron” Edwards passed away at 80 years of age on April 18th, 2021, in Dallas, TX, from Alzheimer’s disease.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Martha Boyles Edwards, of Dallas, TX; daughters Elaine Edwards Smeltz (husband Mark Smeltz, granddaughters Emily and Megan, grandson, Matthew); Karen Edwards Sharp (husband Buddy Sharp and granddaughter Sydney); step-grandson Preston Sharp (wife Kayla and step-great-grandsons Jude and Oliver); Laura Elizabeth Edwards (daughters Isabel and Margaret); stepson Bill Boyles (wife Rhonda and their daughters, Ashley Boyles Quinonez (husband Jonathan) and Krista Boyles; stepdaughter Johnna Boyles McDaniel; brother David Edwards (wife Karanina); sister Jane Edwards Davis (husband Wayne) and many nieces, nephews and cousins who all loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents David Aubrey Edwards and Pauline Edwards Bean and step-father, Russell Bean.
Byron was born and bred a West Texan. He was born living on the family cotton farm just outside of Lubbock, TX, on Jan. 14th, 1941. His upbringing of hard work, perseverance, strength, commitment and kindness would be the backbone of his life. Although the family moved “to town” when Byron was 9, they kept and worked the farm until its sale in 2018. His work life would take him away from the farm, but his roots were always there. He lived the fabled 50’s life of Elvis and black and white TV and graduated Lubbock HS in 1959. He attended Texas Tech and was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, but left for Dallas and the banking industry with his young family in 1964.
Dallas was good to Byron and he worked for several years at Exchange Bank on Mockingbird Ln. and later, for almost 20 years, at Preston State Bank on Preston Rd. in the commercial loan department. Byron excelled in his chosen profession and was highly respected in his field. He was a “straight shooter” and was known for his honesty, integrity and clear-thinking with both co-workers and clients. He had a way of diffusing difficult situations that served him well. After more than 20 years in Dallas, he was asked to return to Lubbock to help oversee the family businesses. His devotion to his family was always his priority and he returned home to Lubbock. He was then employed at Lubbock National Bank for 23 years, again in his specialty of commercial banking, and retired from LNB in April, 2007.
During these years in Lubbock, his generosity of spirit guided him to the Metro Lubbock Rotary Club where he served for 15 years, including as President in 1985-1986. He particularly enjoyed Rotary’s exchange student program and invited students from Germany and Sweden into his home for their semesters abroad. He also had a heart for MHMR issues and served on the UMC Board for several years including Board Chair in 2003.
Upon retirement, Byron and Martha moved back to Dallas and enjoyed traveling, time with his siblings, grandchildren and friends. He loved sports and was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and all Texas Tech sports. Other hobbies included a love of fishing and cheating at Words with Friends with his daughters. He also never lost his love of West Texas.
Byron was a man who gave everyone a chance, who said it like it was, and said it with only the best intentions. He was the kind of man who would wake up before the sun to go to a Rotary meeting before heading to a full workday. He was a man who willingly spent so many years of his life trying to help other people’s needs, sometimes at the expense of his own. His giving, quiet personality helped him to change so many lives for the better through his strength of character and sound advice. This
man you may have called an acquaintance, co-worker, friend, brother, son, husband, father or grandfather. But no matter what role he played, he was always there to do his best.
We are so blessed to have been able to have had him in our lives and know we will see him again and rejoice together in heaven.
Friends and family are welcome for visitation on Tuesday, April 27th from 9:30-11:30am at Restland Funeral Home (13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX, 75243). There will be a private family service after visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. The service will be live streamed at noon on Tuesday, April 27th, at www.restlandfuneralhome.com. Go the Obituary tab and search for John Byron Edwards. The link will be at the bottom of his obituary.
We love you, Byron, may you rest in the sweetest peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/52708/hash:316C8C16BB0A1929
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