Community
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN & LIZZY SPANGLER
‘His life and legacy will live on’: Community remembers Jimmie C. Edwards during public memorial service
Community members gathered at the Montgom- ery County Veterans Memorial Park on May 2 to remember the life of Jimmie C. Edwards. Edwards, who died March 31, was a Vietnam veteran, served as Montgomery County judge and state representative, and founded the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission. “I just want to thank Jimmie and the Edwards family and also the commission that stood behind Jimmie during all of his vision,” state Rep. Will Metcalf said. “This is only the beginning. The best is yet to come. Although our founder and our spokes- person is no longer with us, his life and legacy will live on for many decades to come.” Two-minute impact The service included remarks from both Metcalf and Edwards’ wife, Debbie, as well as live music, including the national anthem, “Marines’ Hymn” and “God Bless America.” The memorial service concluded with a yover and an invitation to attendees to walk the park. “I look at this park, I look at this building, and I think, ‘It’ll be a long time before Jimmie’s name is forgotten,’” Debbie Edwards said. The big picture Montgomery County commissioners on April 9 approved a resolution honoring Edwards as a former county judge, U.S. Marine and founding leader of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park. The court also declared April 9 Judge Jimmie C. Edwards III Memorial Day in Montgomery County. Edwards was a lifelong Montgomery County resident. During the Vietnam War, he volunteered
“I look at this park ... and I think, ‘It’ll be a long time before Jimmie’s name is forgotten,’” said Debbie Edwards.
Jimmie C. Edwards founded the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission.
LIZZY SPANGLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
LIZZY SPANGLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
After being severely wounded in combat, Edwards was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor and other citations for bravery and distinguished service.
JAMAAL ELLIS COMMUNITY IMPACT
for the U.S. Marine Corps and served with the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. After being severely wounded in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with V for Valor and other citations for bravery. After returning home, Edwards continued serving the public. He represented Montgomery and Walker counties in the Texas House from 1973-81 and later served as Montgomery County judge from 1983-86, according to the resolution. “Known to many as a master storyteller, Jimmie had a rare gift for connecting people through humor, honesty, and lived experience,” his obituary
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Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, 1776 Freedom Blvd., Conroe www.honoredmission.org
reads. “Whether sharing memories of service, family stories, or lessons learned along the way, he left those around him better for having listened.”
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