Donald Bruce Edwards Sr's Obituary
Donald Bruce Edwards Sr, age 89, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026 at his home in Alba, Mo. With his family at his side. Don was born to Fred and Lucille Edwards (Ghrombly) on October 27, 1936 in Fall River, Ks. Don attended schools in the Fredonia, Fall River and Severy, Ks area, graduating from Fredonia High School in 1954. After high school he worked with his father (Fred) in a painting and wallpapering business that Fred operated. While working in Wichita, Ks., he met Merry Carolyn Duncan, who eventually became his wife on June 25, 1956 in Fredonia, Ks. Don and Mary were married for 68 years until her passing in October, 2024. Don and Merry were parents of 7 children: Allan, Carol Sue, Cindy Marie, Fred, Teresa, Donald Jr and Mike Edwards. Don worked in several jobs in his lifetime including off and on with his father’s painting, US Government as a civilian painter in California and Idaho painting missile silos, the Ks Army Ammo Plant in Parsons, Ks, a logging business with his brother (Bill) Edwards, and in the early 1970’s he purchased a gas station in Neodesha, Ks which he named the Merry Truck Stop and Restaurant which he operated until the mid-1980’s. While operating the station Don and friends were making plans to go to Montana and Idaho to dredge for gold until Mt. St. Helen blew up and the government wouldn’t allow any gold hunting in the area so that idea was shut down. After the truck stop was sold, Don and Merry moved to Wagoner, Ok. Where Don commercial fished and clammed in Ft. Gibson. After that, they moved to the Joplin, Mo. Area where Don attended Truck Driving School. After school Don was an OTR truck driver for a number of years until his retirement in the early 2000’s. During the truck driving years Don and Merry settled in Alba, Mo. They lived their retirement in Alba. Don, after retiring, enjoyed going camping and fishing with his wife and family, going to garage sales and repairing damaged cars and pickups which he would re-sell.
Don is survived by 6 of his children, Allan Edwards (Pam), Cindy Marie Johnson, Fred Edwards (Angie), Teresa Ilean Ganus, Donald Edwards Jr (Glenda), Mike Edwards (Dana); 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife Merry, daughter Carol Sue, his parents Fred and Lucille, two brothers Kenneth and Bill and one sister, Marie Beckum.
A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Altoona Cemetery in Altoona, KS. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fredonia Flag Fund.
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