Joseph William Edwards, age 83, of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Joseph was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to the late Ralph Edwards and Mary Thompkins Edwards.
Joe grew up in Lincoln where he attended school and later graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1963 - Go Big Red! He was a Cornhusker through and through. He entered the US Navy after graduation as an officer. He served aboard many ships including the New Jersey and the Iwo Jima, served in Vietnam and spent a year in Okinawa, Japan. He spent many years teaching at the Amphib School at the Little Creek Naval Base. He retired from the Navy in 1984 as a Lieutenant Commander. His second career was with AAA of Tidewater for 25 years retiring as a Quality Assurance Coordinator.
Joe enjoyed college football, professional football (a die-hard Redskins fan), movies and most of all cars. NASCAR, formula one, Hemmings auto auction and any type of racing he could watch. He also loved to write with his four-colored pens in his day-timer calendars. He loved watching Perry Mason, Matlock, Monk and Murder She Wrote. His favorite meal was hot dogs with potato salad and baked beans, which was what he had at his last birthday celebration shortly before he passed.
Joe also loved living in Browningstone at Westneck. He made many good friends and enjoyed many neighborhood get togethers, his favorite being the Tuesday Lunch Bunch!
Growing up I remember Dad being a timer at swim meets every summer, block parties with the neighbors, waxing his red Toyota Corolla (the little red tomato) and teaching me to drive in his little red tomato. He was very proud of his daughters and grandsons. He was always there when we needed him.
Joseph is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, who he met in grade school, Kay Edwards; his daughters Cindy Edwards; and Amy Dreher; son-in-law Russ Dreher; his sister-in-law Judy Johnstone; his grandson Josh Gelfand and Fiancée Colleen Willis; his grandson Nate Gelfand; ex son-in-law Arnold Gelfand; granddog Gilly and beloved dog Bo.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Joe by making a donation to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Chesapeake Humane Society.
No services have been set at this time.
