Cara Anguisette's blog: "My Grandfather"

Bobby K. Edwards December 3, 2008 ASHLAND - Retired Command Sergeant Major, Bobby K. Edwards, 79, died Monday, December 1, 2008 at his home in Ashland Ohio. Born May 31, 1929 in Wise County, Pound, VA. Bobby was a dedicated soldier, husband to his wife of 57 years, Patsy Jewel Linville, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. He enlisted into the United States Army in June 1945 in Roanoke, Virginia. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His tour of duties included Japan, two tours in Korea, Germany, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. He was highly decorated, being awarded the Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Metal (8th award), WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Japan, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal 7 Battle Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired with an honorable discharge at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas on December 31, 1973. He also retired from Cyclops, Empire Detroit Steel Division, Mansfield plant in 1991. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Mason's Little Rose of the Alps. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Mamie (Edwards) and Hobert Tompkins and Ott and Tollie Linville; brothers, Wilburn and Samual Tompkins; and sister, Mary Tompkins-Hughs; brother and sister-in-laws, Basil Linville, Darnell and Edna Linville, Ott and Ruby Linville Jr., Teddy Linville, Caril Linville, Alma and Fred Brewster, Phyllis and Ken Hamilton, Franklin Stapleton; and several nieces and nephews. Bobby is survived by his six children (and spouses), Christine (Pat) Ludwick of Mansfield, OH, Linda (Gary) Moore of St. Louis, Missouri, Donna (Don) Sutherland of Ashland, Bobby Jr. (Marlene) Edwards, Lucas, OH, Timothy (Susan) Edwards, Ashland, and Lorre (Gary) Brustoski, Ashland; sixteen grandchildren, Melissa Ellison, Kristie (Tony) Freed, Jason Moore, Keith Oslie, Kory (Kristin) Oslie, Kyle Oslie, Kate Edwards, Carolyn Markling, Kalen Oslie, Devin Edwards, Kip Oslie, Luke Edwards, Jennifer and Emily Brustoski; four great-grandchildren, Joseph and Brett Brown, Tanner and Kiley Freed; his brother, Jimmy (Ruth) Tompkins; and a sister, Claudette (Sam) Branham; and brother and sister-in-laws, Irene Linville, Mary Linville, Denny (Roni) Linville, David (Sue) Linville, Lethamae Stapleton, Juan Perez; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Ave., on Thursday, December 4, 2008, from 6-9 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, December 5, 2008, at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Rev. Bruce Copley. Full military graveside services will be held by the U.S. Army and veterans organizations from the area. Burial will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, Inc 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland OH 44805-9593 or to St. Jude's Hospital. Online guest registry at www.wappner.com