Wilbur Thomas Edwards

July 26, 2017

W. Thomas (Tom) Edwards, III, 80, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at his home in Port Republic, NJ. He was born on March 10, 1937 in Jacksonville, Florida to Colonel Wilbur Thomas Edwards, Jr. and Francis Edwards. Tom grew up in Atlanta Georgia and graduated from Druid Hills High School in 1954 where he was an honor student and, "The top male graduate in the class". It was at Druid Hills High School that Tom met some of his dearest lifelong friends. After high school, he attended the University of Auburn where he received a degree in Engineering. He went on to attend The Alabama Polytech Institute where he was a student teacher, achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and was named a distinguished scholar. After briefly working for Lockheed upon graduation, Tom joined the Federal Aviation Administration where he investigated commercial air-craft accidents worldwide. Of his many accomplishments, Tom was assigned to a team of engineers to live in Brussels and approve the Concord for US flight and to a team of scientist charged with ensuring the Space Shuttle's Cargo Arm worked in zero gravity. Tom married Sally Anne Webb in 1964 in Atlanta, GA. They were happily married for 53 years. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Col. W. Thomas Edwards, Jr. and Francis Edwards He is survived by his loving wife Sally W. Edwards, his sister Frances Fay Collins (Donald C. Collins); his children Wilbur Tomas (Tom) Edwards, IV (Barbara); James H. Edwards (Kimberly); Christopher W. Edwards; grandchildren, Victoria, Rachel, Noel, Makayla, Tess, James Thomas, Abby, Laura and Rebecca Edwards. Funeral and Interment will be private. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice.