GEORGE " JAKE " HILTON EDWARDS

George (Jake) Hilton Edwards, originally from San Angelo, passed away on September 17, 2009 in Houston, Texas. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, September 21, 2009 at Robert Massie Funeral Home Riverside Chapel at 402 Rio Concho Drive, San Angelo with Pastor Rocky Alexander of Ira officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Jake was born on November 22, 1924 in Wall, Texas to John and Elizabeth Edwards. He went to school in Wall and graduated from San Angelo High School in San Angelo. He was accepted into the prestigious United States Air Corp at Randolph Field in San Antonio at the age of 17 and served his country honorably in the United States Air Force for 21 years spanning World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force, he and his family, returned to Tom Green County to reside in Water Valley. He became director of the physical plant at the Mc Knight State Hospital (now the San Angelo State School) until 1967 when he took a position with the University of Houston until 1983 when he took a position at the University of Wyoming. In 1984 he again returned to San Angelo, to be near aging parents. He and his wife moved to the Houston area in the early 1999 to be closer to his seven children, eighteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is returning to San Angelo once more to be laid to rest beside his loving wife, 'œBecky,'� who he shared 60 of his 85 year years. Jake'™s zest for life was undeniable. A patriotic man, Jake taught his children the values of pride in a job well done and loyalty to one'™s family and country. He had great passion for any task he took up, whether it was gardening, fishing or bird watching. His friends at his Assisted Living residence nicknamed him 'œThe Bird Man of Waterford;'� In his last years, Jake still maintained his passion for life in how he enjoyed the simple pleasures of warm sunny afternoons in solitude or engaged in light conversations with friends while watching the multitude of birds that flocked to his well supplied bird feeders. Jake is preceded in death by his wife, Nora Rebecca Lay Edwards, parents, John and Lizzie Edwards, brother Genie Edwards and wife Bernice, his in-laws Tom and Louise Lay, Gene Lay, J.H. Lay and wife Doris, and Betty Compton and husband Dick. Jake is survived by his children, Marlu and husband Gary Riemer of Hempstead, Texas, Cyndy and husband Rick Thornton of La Porte, Texas, Tommy Edwards of Brenham, Texas, Twilah and husband Marco Jansen of Alvin, Texas, Kelly Edwards and wife Desiree'™ of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Eric Edwards and wife Candice of Houston, Texas, and Bonny and husband Mark Slaughter of La Porte, Texas, his brothers Hubert (Rat) and wife Ann Edwards, Horace (Took) and wife Dorothy Edwards of San Angelo, and Donnie and wife Sherlie Edwards of Midland, Texas; his in-laws, Walter Lay, Jerry and Betty Lay all of San Angelo, Texas, Terry Lazicki of Virginia, and Janell and Harvey Morse of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Matthew Riemer, Rob Thornton, Jonathan Riemer, Christopher Edwards, Hollen Slaughter, Bas Jansen, and nephews Gene Perry Edwards and Randy Pete Edwards. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the many healthcare providers who brightened our father'™s long days in the hospital. We also would like to especially thank Dr. Steve Haddad whom our father not only thought of as his physician but his friend. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Brenham State School Volunteer Services, 4001 Hwy. 36, Brenham, Texas, 77833 or www.brenhamstateschoolvsc.org