Jesse Wayne Edwards Obituary (1934

Jesse Wayne Edwards passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, in Hurricane, Utah at the age of 90. Wayne was born in Orem, Utah on May 31, 1934, the 10th of 13 children born to Philo Taylor Edwards and Addie Mae Gurr Edwards. He was the last surviving member of his family. He was raised on a farm and fruit orchard and fondly remembers working alongside his parents and his siblings. Wayne attended church at the old Timpanogos Chapel and went to school at Spencer Elementary and Lincoln High School, where he excelled in football and other sports. He graduated in1952. Wayne earned a scholarship to play football at Utah State University. After his freshman year, he enlisted in the army. He spent 14 months in Korea working as a company clerk. Upon his discharge, Wayne returned to Utah State where he began dating Margene Page. Rather than marrying at this time, Wayne and Margene prayerfully made the decision for Wayne to serve a full-time mission. He served in Australia from 1956 to 1958. In the Fall of 1958, Wayne returned home from his mission and he and Margene were married soon after, on December 29, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. Wayne completed his bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University in 1961, earning a teaching degree. His first job was in Moab. After two years of teaching, he returned to BYU to earn a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. His first counseling job was in Hurricane, where he moved his young family in 1964. He remained in Hurricane for the rest of his life,working for 30 years in the WCSD as a counselor, high school principal, teacher and coach. He loved his time in the school, especially as a coach and teacher. He made a lasting impression on many students who fondly remember “Coach Edwards.” The greatest joy of Wayne's life was his family. He and Margene raised 6 children. He excelled at being a loving, fun, wise, faithful father. He served as a stable force in his family throughout his entire life. The family embraced the Hurricane community, actively participating in school and local events. Wayne and Margene supported their children in every athletic event and activity they were involved in, spending countless hours taking them to practices and driving them to competitions. He was also an avid fan of BYU and the Utah Jazz. Wayne was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to his mission in Australia, he and Margene served a CES mission to Australia and a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City. Missionary work was a central theme throughout his life. He and his posterity have served over 50 full-time missions throughout the world. Through the years, he served in many callings in the Church, including bishop, young men's president, gospel doctrine teacher, and high councilor. He also worked in the St. George Temple at the Recommend Desk for over 20 years. Wayne was a proud member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. He served as president of the organization and loved traveling to historical sites throughout Utah. He deeply valued his pioneer heritage and cherished the friendships he made through the SUP. Wayne has always been blessed with an unshakeable testimony of and faith in his Savior Jesus Christ. He lived his life filled with compassion, strength, love, faith, duty, devotion, diligence, endurance, charity, optimism and hope. He blessed the lives of countless people with his kind words, his warm smile, his acts of service and his sage advice. Wayne was loved by all who had the privilege of associating with him. Wayne is survived by his children: Mary Excell (David), Cindy Brown (Doug), Jeffrey Edwards (Cathy), Chris Edwards (Gina), Kerry Edwards (Joy) and Gina Eves (Jack). His 22 grandchildren: Ben, Laura, Jeff, Ashley, Bryan, Parker, Taylor, Zachary, Jordon, Justin, Page, Corey, Morgan, Josee, Jared, Coleman, Addie, Natasha, Rachel, Hayden, Chloe, and Jackson, and 34 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved cousin Colleen Healy, who was raised alongside his siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Margene Page Edwards, his parents Philo T. Edwards and Addie Mae Gurr, and his 12 siblings (Ruby, Donald, Max, Melba, LaMar, Norma, Alene, LaVell, Lewis, Shirley, Ray and Janice). The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated healthcare workers at the Beehive Home in Hurricane and the CNS Hospice caregivers for compassionate and loving care through these past 15 months. A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, February 28 at 2 pm at the Hurricane Stake Center on 677 South 700 West. Preceding the funeral, a viewing will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 pm.