James O. Edwards

James O. Edwards, of Brookings, S.D. passed away at Estelline Nursing and Care Center on Friday, June 10. Services will be held Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15 at Rude’s Funeral Home.

Jim was born March 18, 1933 in Lyons, S.D. to Charles Henry Edwards and Myrtle Carlberg Edwards. He graduated from Colton High School and then attended South Dakota State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1955. He was recognized as an SDSU Distinguished Alumnus in 1992.

Jim married Evelyn Van Liere on August 26, 1955 in Colton, S.D. The couple then moved to Ft. Belvoir in Virginia where Jim attended the Army’s School of Engineers. Following graduation, Jim served as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers in Heidelberg, Germany until 1958.

Jim and Evelyn returned to Brookings upon Jim’s discharge from the Army and Jim returned to work at Banner Associates, where he first began working during college.

Jim dedicated his entire career to Banner Associates, eventually as president and chairman of the board. During this time, he also served as president and chairman of the board for Horizons, an aerial surveying affiliate of Banner Associates. Jim retired from Banner Associates in 1995.

In addition to his work at Banner Associates and Horizons, Jim was actively involved in many organizations including the South Dakota Engineering Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Consulting Engineers Counsel of South Dakota.

Jim was a proud and active SDSU alumnus. He was a charter member of the Stan Marshall Golf Classic Committee, and served on the SDSU Athletic Department Advisory board as well as various SDSU Foundation committees. In memory of dear friends, he took great pride in serving as the Engineer in Charge for the development of the Fighting Stallions memorial.

Jim had a great love for the outdoors that was instilled in him at a young age by his father, an accomplished gamesman. Jim was an avid hunter and trap shooter. He loved being out on the water fishing and cherished his annual trip to Canada with the “guys”, for which he meticulously planned months in advance for over 40 years.

Jim had a wonderful appreciation for wildlife and contributed to many preservation efforts including development of the Mickelson Wetland Memorial, near Lake Poinsett, where Jim built a cabin in 1969 and enjoyed countless summer days with family and friends over the years.

Both Jim and Evelyn enjoyed a good day (and even a bad day) on the golf course with friends. They traveled often with their friends on golf trips, eventually trading in the South Dakota winters for the Arizona courses. After Jim’s retirement, they spent most winters at their home in Fountain Hills with the company of many close friends.

When he wasn’t enjoying the great outdoors, Jim could often be found tinkering with a project in the garage, cataloging his impressive collection of fishing and hunting gear or enjoying a good book. Jim was also a gifted artist beginning at a young age and found great enjoyment making beautiful jewelry during his final years.

Above all, Jim loved his family and friends. He was a wonderful husband and father and adored his grandchildren. He was a giving and kind man who could always be counted on by his friends in a time of need.

Jim is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Brookings; two daughters, Edie (Glenn) Ramstad of Ada, Minn. and Amy (Steve) Kurtenbach of Darnestown, Md.; one son, James (Rita) Edwards of Madison, S.D.; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, Donald (Gloria) Edwards of Eagle River, Ark.; two sisters-in-law Doris Edwards of Lakeland, Fla. and Gloria Edwards of Pickstown, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lendall and Charles.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.