James Turner Edds, Sr.

USAF Ret. Major James Turner Edds Sr, age 83, of Pensacola, FL passed away on October 10, 2017, peacefully in the family home. The funeral service will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pensacola, FL Saturday, October 14th at 1 pm. Father Rob Dixon of Holy Cross Episcopal Church will be officiating. Visitation will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, preceding the funeral from12:30 to1:00. Reception will follow the funeral service. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Faith Chapel Funeral Home, Cantonment, FL. Interment with military honors will be at Lono Cemetery in Malvern, AR Wednesday October 18, 2017. Jim was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on August 29, 1934. He was married to Shirley Irene McKeehan, his wife of 62 years, on December 10,1955 in Houston Texas Jim was commissioned in the United Sates Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant March 2, 1956. After serving 20 years active duty with the US Air Force, crewing on B-50, C-130, B-47, and B-52 aircraft, he was retired and honorably discharged as a Major ending his career with the Arc Light, Bullet Shot, Linebacker II, B-52 Stratofortress missions. Jim served in Europe and the Far East as a Radar Navigator, Instructor, Scheduler, Flight Evaluator, and Personnel Supervisor. He flew over 100 combat missions over Viet Nam, he served three years on the staff of a Three Star General supervising a team of Air Force Staff Officers responsible for combat tactics of the B-52 Bomber Force. His awards included Air Force Commendation, Meritorious Service, Air Medal (4 clusters) and Bronze Star. Following his Air Force career, he served another 20 years in Civil Service with the Air Force and Navy. Jim is survived by his spouse, Shirley McKeehan Edds, his children, Cindy Edds Price, James Turner Edds Jr. (Judy), and Rosalind Edds Keeton (Robert), 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 5 siblings, Betty Edds Herrmann, Clyde Edds (Rayma), Carl Edds (Barbara), Martha Edds Davis (Glen), Ralph Edds (Kathy). Jim is preceded in death by his son William Jonathan Edds and his parents, Ellis Turner Edds, and Erma Garner Edds. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Holy Cross Episcopal Church Building Fund, 7979 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32514.

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James Turner Edds, Sr.

August 29, 1934 - October 10, 2017