Ron Edwards

No matter how much is said in summary of an 89 year life, a few short paragraphs feel insufficient.

Ron was born May 23, 1935 near Trainor, Saskatchewan and his birth certificate showed latitude, longitude, section and township of the farm.  The fourth of six kids, he attended a one room schoolhouse for grade one where he spent more time listening to the older grades’ math lessons and less time on learning to read and write.  His mother Robena and the kids moved into the small town of Wilkie, Saskatchewan where Ron repeated grade one and he learned to read; reading then became a lifelong passion.  Ron had many jobs as a young man including driving a hay truck on a thrashing crew while underage.  When he came of age the license issue was resolved by the local RCMP – a chauffeur’s license was issued as they had run out of the correct forms.

Sports were a huge part of Ron's life.  He was active in every sport, joking that he made every team because Wilkie was so small they didn’t have enough players.  But he was a better athlete than he admitted because he set a provincial record in the 200 yard dash that stood unbroken until the 1980’s.  He was a gifted baseball player in the summer and curler in the winter – winning many prizes and partying at numerous bonspiels.  Later in life he became a huge fan of the Oilers and Eskimos and even scheduled dinner to accommodate games.

Ron moved to Edmonton in the 1950s to live with family his first year of university.  Coming from a town with no traffic lights Ron was intimidated by the bus so he walked from Glenora to the university.  Ironically Ron would soon drive a tour bus at the Jasper Park Lodge in the summers.   It was in the lineup for university medicals that he met someone who would be instrumental in changing his life.  Jack McMahon introduced him to Marilyn.  Marilyn soon became Ron’s everything, his only focus, and whom he would wed.  Marilyn and Ron married in 1961 and soon after bought their home in Rio Terrace.  They had two children, Robin in 1964 and Drew in 1966.  That family home hosted endless social gatherings for six decades.  Family and friends always played a key role in Ron’s life.

Ron graduated with a commerce degree from the University of Alberta.  He created a long-running housing construction company where even his contractors became lifelong friends.  Ron had an honest and trusting nature and always believed the best in people.

Marilyn and Ron’s children both married in 1991.  First Drew to Shirley in July then Robin to Craig in October.  When grandkids James, Claire and Gillian came along the focus shifted to them.  Grandma and Grandpa took and picked up the kids everywhere, never missed a game, event, or school function.  Ron taught them a lot, was always supportive and inspirational, and just like Marilyn is greatly missed.

Two years after we lost Marilyn, Ron left the family home.  He became a good friend to all as he spent his last five years making a new home at Waterford in the west end.  Even as Ron constantly made new friends he always kept the old friends.  There was always more room in his heart.

Despite a few health issues over the last few years, we never expected to lose Ron but he passed away unexpectedly and suddenly January 21, 2025.  He was predeceased by wife Marilyn in 2017; son Drew in 2003; siblings Jessie, Bill, Merlin and Earlene.  Ron leaves to mourn daughter Robin, son-in-law Craig, daughter-in-law Shirley, grandchildren James, Claire and Gillian and sister Donna along with numerous family and friends.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 11am-2pm

Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West

10011 184 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta

There will be a presentation, light lunch, and fellowship.