Dec. 10, 1953-Jan. 7, 2023
James Taylor Edwards passed away Jan. 7, 2023. He was born on Aug. 8, 1934, to James E. and Jane Taylor Edwards in Ogden, Utah. He married Vella Kaye Fernelius, Dec. 10, 1953, in Logan, Utah, later divorced. He married Judy May Sherman, Feb. 17, 1968, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He attended Mound Fort School in Ogden and graduated from Ogden High School in 1952. He served six years with the Utah National Guard, 222nd. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service at the Ogden Railway Mail Terminal and at the Salt Lake International Airport Mail Facility, retiring in 1993 with 38 years of service. He spent the last l0 years of his career working as the post office airport ramp clerk with his partners, Henry George and Dale Hood.
He was a big fan of University of Utah football and spent many weekends attending the games and tailgating with his friends Dale George, Kip, and Dana James. He also enjoyed attending the NCAA college basketball tournaments with his good friend Ken Fulmer. After moving to Denver in 1994, he became an avid Colorado Rockies baseball fan and attended many games at Coors Field with a special young friend, Zack Stout. He was a member of the American Philatelic Society, the American Topical Association, the World Airline Historical Society and a lifetime member of the American Airmail Society.
While working at the airport in Salt Lake City, he became enamored of flying and was never happier than when he was flying on different airlines to different airports on different aircraft. He and Judy enjoyed traveling and spent time exploring North America, the Caribbean, Europe, China, New Zealand and Australia.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy; four children, Rachael Edwards, Salt Lake City, Utah, Randy Lynn (Laurie) Edwards, Fruit Heights, Utah, Brad Edwards, Layton, Utah, and Lori (Cecil) Funtanilla, Kaysville, Utah; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane Pettit, Kaysville, Utah.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to Zion’s Way Hospice for their loving and attentive care for Jim during his final months.
Funeral services for James will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held on Friday prior to services from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Interment will take place at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.
Friends and family unable to attend the services in person are should click here to view them virtually.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign James’ online guest book.