Dick Edwards

    Our precious daddy and “PopPop,” James R. (Dick) Edwards, went to meet Jesus and see his sweet Nana on the morning of February 18, 2020, just a little shy of his 100th birthday
    A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, February 22nd, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Chapel with Bro. Tobey Clement officiating.
    Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of Gonzales Funeral Home.
    Dick was born on April 25th, 1920, in Warsaw, Missouri to Charles Richard Edwards and Mora Ell (Hughes) Edwards.  After graduation from Joplin High School he moved to Picher, Oklahoma to work for the Eagle Picher Mining Company.  While in Picher he met and married his sweetheart, Reba Farley, on June 19, 1943.  They were married for the next 74 years.  
    He served in the United States Navy from 1944 until 1946, at which time he began his career with the United States Postal Service
    Moving to Lamesa in 1950, Dick worked his way up the professional ladder, eventually becoming Post Master and serving in that capacity until his retirement.  He joined the local Rotary Club, serving as secretary for three years and was the club president 1985-1986.  As a  member of First Baptist Church, he served as a Sunday School teacher for the Junior Boys’ and Young Men’s classes, and as Training Union director.  He also served on the board of directors for the Lamesa Chamber of Commerce.
    He is survived by his only daughter, Melody Young; grandson Shane (Elissha) of Pena Blanca, New Mexico, and Shawn (Lacy Kellam) of Austin; Kelsey Young, Staples, TX; great-grandchildren Kolton, Aurora, Sophia, and name-sake Micah James and Nacy Young, and Zephany Pickett; nephews Jim (Dorothy) Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Carl Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas; niece Dorothy (Bud)  Sample of Garden Grove, California.  
    He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Don Ray, and four sisters, Thelma, Pauline, Orene, and Dorothy.
    The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice of the South Plains, especially his nurse Clint Conner and his Home Health Aide, Tina Wall.  An enormous thank-you goes to the staff of BeeHive #1 who have been his family for the past two years, and have loved and cared for him faithfully during his stay.  We would also like to thank three special men – Leon Wilson, Jay Kinnison, and Blaine Middleton, who were so faithful to visit daddy and bring him so much joy, and to many others who stopped by for an occasional visit.
    The family suggests memorials be made to the Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, First Baptist Church of Lamesa, or White Stone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1549, Pena Blanca, New Mexico.

Philippians 1:3-6 
– Press-Reporter obituary services