Edward John Lias, age 85, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at Willowbrook Nursing Center in Nacogdoches, TX. He was surrounded by his family and died peacefully from complications following a stroke.
He was born on January 9, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA to Wilfred F. Lias and LaVerne (McIntyre) Lias. He married Zelma (Airgood) Lias on June 19, 1954 in Punxsutawney, PA. In addition to Zelma, he is survived by his brother Thomas F. Lias of Morganton, GA; his daughter Susan (Lias) Manges of Bloomsburg, PA; his son Stephen Lias of Nacogdoches, TX; as well as six grandchildren.
Edward received his undergraduate degree from Nyack College, master’s degrees from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from New York University where his 1979 dissertation (exploring the future of computers) was the first ever at that institution to have been created with a word processor.
An entrepreneur and inventor at heart, Dr. Lias patented a pendulum-driven drawing device in the 1960s that produced elegant graphic art used for everything from Hollywood movie posters to a United Nations postage stamp. His skills as a programmer, writer, business executive and public speaker were put to good use through his leadership positions with companies like Sperry-Unisys and Commodore where he helped pioneer the early rise of mainframe and personal computers. Among other publications and articles, his book Future Mind was released in 1982 by Little, Brown & Co.
After spending his professional years in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Chicago, Edward and Zelma retired to Nacogdoches in 2005 where he enjoyed gardening, home projects and researching alternative energy production. Always eager to help, devoted in his faith, generous with his time, and full of ideas, he will be remembered as an original thinker and a loving husband and father.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 4:00pm at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home at 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX. A private burial will follow. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 3:30 until the service begins.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.
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