John T. ''Red'' Edwards

John T. “Red” Edwards, Jr., 79, of Dover, died Tuesday, December 17, 2002 in Union Hospital with his wife and children by his side.

He had been involved in the trucking business for over 60 years and with his family had been owner of Edwards Trucking, Edwards Sales & Service, Inc., Motor Freight, Inc. and J.E.T. Transportation, Inc.

Born October 4, 1923 near Nashville, Arkansas, he was a son of the late John T. and Adda Mae (Westbrook) Edwards, Sr.

Red was a 1941 graduate of Dover High School and had been a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church at Dover. As a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps 57th Bomb Wing, he flew over 70 missions during World War II in the European Theater. He stayed in touch with his friends from the 57th and took pride in attending their reunions. He was a life member of the Dover Elks club, the Dover American Legion, Dover VFW and 40 et 8. Red was a mason and was member of the Masonic Temple at Dover and the Tadmor Shrine. He enjoyed recreational sports and was an avid golfer and bowler, and loved spending time with his family.

On November 1, he celebrated 61 years of marriage with his wife, the Dorothy Plotts Edwards, who survives.

Other survivors include: five children; Carole Cummings, Nancy Renner, Richard & Sandy Edwards, Susan and Gary Hunt and Michael & Mary Beth Edwards, 14 grandchildren; Kimberly & Marc Wood, Rebecca Cummings, Kevin & Jennifer Renner, Christopher Renner, Shannon & Kenneth Miller, Jonathan Edwards, Joshua Edwards, Jessica Hunt, Jacqueline Hunt, Jeremy Hunt, Lynn Edwards, Anne Edwards, Paul Edwards, Marcus Edwards, eight great grandchildren; Zachary Renner, Courtney Miller, Alexis Taylor, Ashlin Renner, Austin Renner, Katelynn Renner, Blaze Renner, Tyton Renner, a sister; Virginia “Tootie” Wilcoxon, three sisters-in-law; Evelyn Meese, Mildred Gow and Carol Edwards.

In addition to his parents, Red was preceded in death by: an infant son; Thomas Wayne, a granddaughter; Jennifer Hunt, two brothers; Dave “Bub” Edwards and James “Pete” Edwards.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, at 11:00am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover with Dr. David Oliver and officiating. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park where the Dover VFW will conduct military rites at the graveside. A reception will follow in the First United Methodist Church at Dover. Friends may call in the funeral home on Friday from 6-9pm. Dover Elks services will be held at 5:45pm.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Red by visiting the “online obituaries” link on the funeral home�(TM)s website.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Jennifer Hunt Memorial Scholarship at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts, 461 Robinson Dr. SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com