Thomas Edwards

Thomas James Edwards, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was 68. Thomas was born the son of Thomas Buffington Edwards and Cleta Belle Pickett Edwards on June 30, 1940 in Bristow, Oklahoma. He grew up in Blackwell, Oklahoma and then moved to Wichita, Kansas where he enlisted in the United States Army in 1959 and faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge in 1961. After his military service, he was employed at Koch and Coleman both in Wichita, Kansas, Terminex, Pioneer Wholesale Liquor and Daylight Donuts in Ponca City, Oklahoma and Ditch Witch in Perry, Oklahoma. He lived in Wichita, Kansas for many years, Sanhosa, California for three years and then he moved to Ponca City in 1981. His first marriage was to Dorothy Middleton whom he married in the late 1950s, and to this union, three children were born. He was later married to Shirley Rose Dickens in the late 1960s and during their marriage, they raised three children. Thomas had many enjoyments which included fishing, hunting and watching The Price is Right. He was also a very giving person who donated to numerous charities. He is survived by his children, Tonya Hutchinson and husband, John of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Sally Fiscus and husband, Bruce of Wichita Kansas, John Ray Edwards and wife, Anita of Wichita, Kansas, Tamara Loftis and husband, Larry and John-Thomas Edwards; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by both parents; daughter, Barbara Jane Knickrehm; son, James Richard Edwards; brothers, Ray Edwards and Everett Edwards; and his first wife, Dorothy Middleton. Casket bearers for the service will be John-Thomas Edwards, John Ray Edwards, John Hutchinson, Mitchell Davis, Josh Bridgman and Larry Loftis. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Bible Baptist Church with Reverend Coy Whitener officiating. Interment will be at Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Thomas honor to the March of Dimes, Attn: DRFR, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605 or to the VA Hosptial.