David Robert Edwards

David Robert Edwards, 78, of Weaverville, North Carolina died at 4:30 am Monday, January 16, 2023 after a 3.5 year battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme).

Dave was born July 1, 1944 in Pekin, IL to Mildred and David L. Edwards. He was tragically preceded in death by his older sister Marilyn Jean and his father in 1946. Also preceding him was his stepfather James R. Duley in 1995, his mother Mildred Duley in 2005, and his former wife Janet Marie Wheeldon.

Dave is survived by Carolyn Sue Edwards, his wife of 57 years along with his 3 children: David Robert (and Sueann) Edwards of Eagle River, AK; Tad (and Sarah) Edwards of Baltimore, and Kimberly (and Christopher) Holt of Weaverville. Dave has two surviving brothers, Jim Duley of Pekin, IL, and Larry (and Gudrun) Duley of Köngen, Germany.

His grandchildren include Joshua Edwards (Colorado Springs), Matthew and Nathan Edwards (ER, Alaska), Skye Loving (Asheville), Oliana and Adelyn Luke (Seattle) and Grace Edwards (Baltimore), great grandchildren Dakota Edwards and Alivia Schmitz of Colorado Springs.

Dave graduated from Pekin High School in 1963 and immediately began his lifelong efforts to provide for his family. He began work at Corn Products while still in high school. After a 4-year apprenticeship with Caterpillar Tractor, Inc he began a 23-year career as a pattern maker for the company, honing his fine woodworking skills that would serve him throughout his life. He then worked at Performance Pattern & Machine, Inc. in Peoria for many years, and for the last 20 years has operated his Weaverville kitchen design business working alongside his daughter Kim. He had countless side hustles and odd jobs. He sold pots and pans, built spec houses, self-published a deck design manual, and had a thriving remodeling business in the Asheville area. His work ethic was remarkable. Dave knew the value of a dollar, but was generous when and where it counted.

Dave also loved to compete. He was a terrific tennis player and enjoyed the competition and camaraderie that tennis provided throughout his life. There is a long list of good friends formed while playing that sport. However, whatever the activity, Dave would try to win. He’d play you tough in ping pong, horseshoes, pool and corn hole. Oddly though, in golf, he would seemingly forget how to count, but would remember begrudgingly when reminded of his strokes.

If Dave was at your house, he was likely to find something that needed to be fixed, and for the price of a beer or two would gladly help you fix it. He was also likely to tell a slightly off-color or plain old dumb joke or comment. He didn’t worry much if it didn’t land. He had more at his disposal. David R. Edwards used his skills to help his neighbors, feed and educate his family, and make good friends. He was a good man, a man of faith, and he will be missed.

 A memorial service will be held at Weaverville United Methodist Church January 28th at 11am. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider memorials be made to Haywood Street Congregation or a charity of your choice.

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