James Anthony "Tony" Edwards

Tony was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He enrolled in Austin Peay State College in Tennessee then transferred to Arkansas Polytechnic College where he entered ROTC in 1959. In 1961, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served honorably for three years. As a general supply specialist and paratrooper, be served immediately prior to major U.S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict. While he never deployed to combat, he served with many friends and fellow soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of country. Tony always honored the memory and service of his friends with whom he served.

Tony returned to college and finally graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. He began working for Proctor and Gamble and also started working towards a Master’s degree in business. After meeting his first wife, he started his family with the birth of his only daughter, Dawn, in 1970.

His entrepreneurial spirit began to burn and he quit P&G and started his own barbecue and catering business called “Old Hickory.” After great success and the best ever barbecue recipes, it was clear that he would set his own destiny and work for a business of his own. He began a business partnership in the mid-70s working in real estate, which would become his life’s work.

It was while building his real estate business that he met the love of his life, Nancy RuDean, whom he married July 16, 1977. RuDean brought two sons, Brian and Chris, to the marriage. Throughout the ups and downs of the next 42 years, they were always by each other’s sides.

Tony loved fishing, snow skiing and cooking barbecue at family gatherings and made many friends both personally and professionally. He was known as a real estate broker who treated his clients with such respect that he often became their broker for life. He retired after almost 40 years of business in 2015. Tony passed away peacefully on the morning of January 11, 2020 with his wife by his side.

He is survived by his wife, RuDean Edwards, his daughter, Dawn Braley and husband Terry, stepson Brian South and wife Julie, stepson Chris South and wife Stephanie, and two grandsons, Sutton and Conner. Also two sisters, Gail Buckley and husband Tim, and Saundra Brown and husband Dick as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Alzheimer's Association, or online at: www.alz.org