Howard C Edwardssr.

Howard C. Edwards, Sr. of Fowler Township died Monday morning, April 4, 2016, at the age of 84, from complications of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. He was born August 9, 1931 in Warren, the son of the late Howard and Julia (Knight) Edwards. He was raised in Niles and later lived on his father's and grandfather's farm in Liberty, Ohio. Howard was a 1949 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and a 1953 graduate of The Ohio State University agricultural school, majoring in animal husbandry. He then served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force: as a pilot during the Korean War and in the reserves until 1965. After college he worked for Sugardale, and was one of their top meat salesman. He saved every penny to fulfill his dream of owning a farm. He saw that dream come true on a Saturday afternoon in September of 1962 when he stopped in at a farm after seeing a "for sale" sign, talked to the owner, and purchased the farm in Fowler that very afternoon. He received his teaching degree in 1969 from Youngstown State University. Howard was a biology and senior science teacher at Niles McKinley High School until 1972 and then taught 8th grade science at Mathew's Neal Middle School for eleven years, retiring in 1983. "Mr. Ed" made science fun and was proud of the fact that several of his science students entered into medicine and other scientific fields of study. Howard loved farming, first with his parents in Liberty and then with his wife and best friend of over 40 years, Barbara, and their sons in Fowler. He loved driving the tractor. He loved being outdoors and working in the fields. He always had a great crew of "hay kids". He raised black Angus cattleone of the first cattlemen to bring Aberdeen Angus to the areaand was a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. Later, when his boys started a business on the farm, growing and selling pumpkins, he enjoyed it tremendously. He attended Fowler United Methodist Church and was a Cub Scout leader for several years with Pack No. 91 in Fowler. He led his sons in scouting and was proud when both became Eagle Scouts. Howard served on the Mathews Board of Education, where he was past president. He donated all of his compensation giving thousands of dollars back to the school. He also gave his time to the Fowler Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Fund for 30 years. Howard is survived by his wife whom he loved dearly, Barbara (Marshall) Edwards; two sons, Dr. Howard C. (and his wife Dr. Adrienne) Edwards, Jr. of Omaha, Neb. and James H. Edwards at home; and two granddaughters, Lidia and Lucia Edwards. One son and one daughter died in infancy. Howard will be greatly missed by all who knew him as he was a kind and generous person, he had a great sense of humor and quick wit, and he loved to laugh, always living life to the fullest and always smiling. We were truly blessed having Howard in our lives. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Snitzer for his care, the Hope Cancer Center, the staff of the 5th floor at TMH, and, especially, the Fowler Volunteer Fire Dept. who came to his aid several times during the last few months. Arrangements were entrusted to Lane Family Funeral Homes, Shafer-Winans Chapel in Cortland. In lieu of flowers, material contributions may be made to the Fowler Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 21, Fowler, OH 44418, the Fowler United Methodist Church, PO Box 8, Fowler, OH 44418 or the Animal Welfare League, 812 Youngstown Kingsville Rd. SE, Vienna, OH 44473. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.shaferwinanschapel.com