Saturday, April 20, 2024
Eugene Floyd Edwards was born Nov. 2, 1928, in San Jose, California, to Saima and Charles Edwards. The family moved back to the Aberdeen area when Gene was young.
His parents divorced when he was 5, and his father moved to California. Gene grew up surrounded by his mother's family of Finnish immigrants. As an only child, he was very close to his mother.
Gene loved and excelled at sports. He lettered in football and track at Aberdeen High School and received a football scholarship to Central Washington College. A broken leg his freshman year ended his football career.
Gene served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After his discharge, he returned to school at Western Washington College, where he met the love of his life, Marian Rockwell. They were married in 1953, and he graduated with a teaching degree the following year.
They had three children: Paula, Gil, and Gina. After college, he taught in the Edmonds School District. Most of his career he taught physical education and coached football and track at Edmonds Junior High. Gene retired at age 55.
After retirement, he and Marian traveled and were members of the Roche Harbor Yacht Club. They enjoyed boating with friends, fishing, clamming and crabbing. Gene and Marian celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on Aug. 29.
Gene died Sept. 8, 2022. He is survived by his wife Marian; daughter Paula (Jim) Mitchell; son Gil (Connie) Edwards; and daughter Gina Murphy. He had nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
