Obituary for John Walter Edwards
John W. Edwards
John Edwards passed away due to natural causes at the age of 76 on Sunday, June 24 at his residence in Red Lodge.
John was born on December 9, 1941 in Rhinebeck, New York, a son of George Arthur and Jane Lyon Edwards.
He came West following high school to fulfill his dream of being a bronc rider. He started out in El Paso, Texas. His first horse out of the chute threw him, but he rode the next one and many, many more. That included all 10 mounts at the National Finals Rodeo in 1970.
John’s favorite rodeo arenas were Cheyenne, Calgary and Red Lodge, a close third. He retired at the Home of Champions Rodeo in 1980.
In 2015, the year when John was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK, he had this to say about his life: “I had some good years. The first years were nip and tuck, but I was one of those guys who hung around too long. I should have quit after 15 years, but I just loved the sport so much. I’ve met some great people all over the country and had great experiences.”
John was “a good hand”.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Edwards; his stepfather, Harry L. Bly; stepsister, Lucy Bly; and stepbrother, Harry J. Bly.
John is survived by his mother, Jane L. Bly; his sister, Patricia Cassidy and her husband, Harry, of Dover Plains, NY; half-brother, Michael Edwards of Williamsburg, Virginia; half-sister, Sandy Edwards Zickrick of Fort Collins, CO; stepsister, Evelyn Bly Bunch of Palmer, Alaska; stepsister, Laura Bly Dennis and her husband, George, of Pine Planins, NY; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be announced for the end of September, 2018.
Condolences to John’s family may be sent to his sister: Mrs. Patrlcia Cassidy, 137 Dove Drive, Dover Plains, NY 12522; email: pattiswagon6@aol.com ; or online at www.smithfuneralchapels.com
John Edwards passed away due to natural causes at the age of 76 on Sunday, June 24 at his residence in Red Lodge.
John was born on December 9, 1941 in Rhinebeck, New York, a son of George Arthur and Jane Lyon Edwards.
He came West following high school to fulfill his dream of being a bronc rider. He started out in El Paso, Texas. His first horse out of the chute threw him, but he rode the next one and many, many more. That included all 10 mounts at the National Finals Rodeo in 1970.
John’s favorite rodeo arenas were Cheyenne, Calgary and Red Lodge, a close third. He retired at the Home of Champions Rodeo in 1980.
In 2015, the year when John was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK, he had this to say about his life: “I had some good years. The first years were nip and tuck, but I was one of those guys who hung around too long. I should have quit after 15 years, but I just loved the sport so much. I’ve met some great people all over the country and had great experiences.”
John was “a good hand”.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Edwards; his stepfather, Harry L. Bly; stepsister, Lucy Bly; and stepbrother, Harry J. Bly.
John is survived by his mother, Jane L. Bly; his sister, Patricia Cassidy and her husband, Harry, of Dover Plains, NY; half-brother, Michael Edwards of Williamsburg, Virginia; half-sister, Sandy Edwards Zickrick of Fort Collins, CO; stepsister, Evelyn Bly Bunch of Palmer, Alaska; stepsister, Laura Bly Dennis and her husband, George, of Pine Planins, NY; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be announced for the end of September, 2018.
Condolences to John’s family may be sent to his sister: Mrs. Patrlcia Cassidy, 137 Dove Drive, Dover Plains, NY 12522; email: pattiswagon6@aol.com ; or online at www.smithfuneralchapels.com