John Earl Edwards

Feb 22, 1938 -

Mar 28, 2020

John Earl Edwards was born on Feb. 22, 1938, and died peacefully on March 28, 2020, in Sun Lakes, Ariz. He was born and raised in Rainier Valley, Seattle, Wash., the son of Chuck and Helen Edwards. He graduated from O'Dea High School in 1955 and Seattle University in 1959. He was an active member of the Graduates Club of Seattle U building floats for the Seafair Parades and as a Seafair Clown. He began his plumbing career early in life working for his father's business, Rainier District Plumbing. In the late 1960s, he started his own plumbing business on Mercer Island and was fondly known as "John the Plumber."

John moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1982 to remodel the Holy Spirit retreat house and the Bishop's residence. He met Nancy Pettit and they married in 1985. In Anchorage, John was a mechanical contractor and real estate investor. John and Nancy enjoyed traveling the world and in recent years have wintered in Sun Lakes, Ariz., where he enjoyed golfing.

He is survived by wife, Nancy Pettit; children, John Edwards, Andrea Hamilton and Allison Inglett; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Marion Sullivan and Margaret Donnelly; and many relatives and friends. Remembrances can be made to Holy Cross Parish in Anchorage, O'Dea High School in Seattle, or Boys Town USA.