John P. Edwards

John Edwards was born into this life on August 22, 1935 in Wichita, Kansas as the second son of the Rev. Franklin Edwards and Burnice Gerow Edwards.  As a child of a Methodist minister, he lived all over the State of Kansas.  As he grew older, he spent summers working on an uncle's ranch in western Kansas, where he learned a great deal about agriculture.

During the Korean war, John enlisted in the U.S. Army.  After nearly three years of being stationed in Germany, John got out of the army and obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology from Wichita State University.  Later, he obtained his master's degree in social work from the University of Kansas.  It was there that he met his wife, Barbara.

John enjoyed helping people.  His social work career took him from Kansas City, Missouri, to Pomona, California, to Napa, California, to Ontario, Oregon, to Payette, Idaho.  He worked both in administration and in direct service.  His later years were spent in private practice.

John was a creative, multi-talented person.  Not only did he enjoy helping others, but he played the banjo with the Idaho Fiddlers.  He excelled in woodworking.  He created heirloom pieces from walnut trees which he and a friend logged out.

John leaves behind his loving wife of 57 years, Barbara, and his adored children and grandson, Susan Switzer (Jeff Olsen) of Boise, John Edwards (Sheila Dean) of  Kirkland, Washington, and his grandson, Jackson Olsen of Boise.  He also leaves behind his older brother, Franklin Edwards (Orleta) of Silver City, New Mexico, and his younger brother, Robert Edwards (Jennifer) of Manhattan, Kansas.  He also leaves behind several nieces and sister-in-law, Carol Clapham of Wilmington, Delaware.

John is loved and will be missed by many.