James Clarence Edwards Jr.

James Clarence “Jim” Edwards, Jr. of Atlanta, age 74, passed away on Friday, October 12 from brain cancer. Jim was born on February 20, 1944 in Ringgold, GA, to James Clarence Edwards, Sr. and Hettie Dunn Edwards.

Jim grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Boynton, GA (near Ringgold) and graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga. He then entered Emory University, earning a B.S. in Math and Physics (1965), followed by a Master’s in Radiological Health (1967). He married Ann Cavender Evans of Dalton, GA, in 1968, and they lived in Washington, DC, for two years while he served as a Lieutenant in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

They then settled in Atlanta, with Jim returning to Emory for an M.B.A. (1972). He did financial consulting and management work at Arthur Young & Company, Rollins Inc., and other corporations for the first half of his career. In 1991 Jim co-founded PhotoBooks, Inc. (later known as Connect Healthcare), which he led successfully for over 25 years before retiring in 2017.

In his spare time, Jim loved nothing better than working with his tractor on the family farm and a friend’s farm in Mississippi. His community involvement included more than 40 years of membership at Northside United Methodist Church, always singing with his wife in the Chancel Choir and participating in the Men’s Ministries. He served as President of Emory’s Goizueta Business School Alumni Association Board (1993-1995). He was also a 26-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, serving on the Board of Directors and as chair of several committees.

Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann, his daughters Margo and Kathleen, and his brother Walter (Grace), and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, with a reception immediately following at the church. His ashes will be interred at West Hill Cemetery in Dalton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of James C. Edwards, Jr. to Northside United Methodist Church (2799 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, northsideumc.org) or to Goizueta Business School at Emory University (Office of Gift Accounting, 1762 Clifton Rd, Ste 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322, emory.edu/give).