Rev. Robert L. Edwards
December 13, 1916 – October 21, 2018

Rev. Robert Lynn Edwards entered into the presence of Jesus on Sunday, October 21, 2018. He was 101. Bob was born on December 13, 1916, in Victor, Colorado, to William and Linnie Edwards and was one of four children. As a young boy, he moved several times in Colorado as his father was a gold miner. At about age 7, his father, who was then working for the railroad, transferred to Oakland, California, moving the family with him. Bob graduated high school in Oakland and then attended the Denver Bible Institute with the assistance of his older brother, who was a professor there.

Hearing and obeying God’s call on his life to be a minister, Bob began his practicum in the local community churches working with the youth. It was at this time that he met his beautiful sweetheart, Geraldine Luers, and they married on June 21, 1938. His son David was born in 1939, and his daughter Janet was born in 1941. Before going to seminary in 1944 at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, he worked as a sheet rock and painting contractor. While Bob was in seminary with a family to support, he worked as a painter/contractor and a postman. In 1950, he received his first call as a pastor to Stewart Memorial Baptist Church (now Fellowship Baptist) in South Bend, Indiana. He was instrumental in the construction of a much larger building. One claim to fame is that he preached at a funeral with A.W. Tozer, the renowned preacher and author. In November of 1966, he left Indiana for a church in Pasadena, California, which wasn’t a good fit. While looking for a full-time pastorate, Bob worked with Beltone Hearing Aids and also preached part-time at a small church. Then, he received a call to pastor full-time at Grace Baptist Church in Anaheim. Not only was Bob passionate about preaching the gospel to his own congregation, he was passionate about sharing the gospel through missions as a lifetime supporter of missionaries worldwide. After retiring from full-time preaching, Bob continued as a chaplain at Forest Lawn. During the next several years, he stayed busy keeping bees and hauling scrap metal while always sharing the gospel. He moved to Minden in 2001 to be closer to his son. At that time, he and Geri began attending Grace Community Church and were active members.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 70 years, Geraldine in 2009; his devoted son David who passed away in May of this year; his brothers, Joe and Herb; and his sister, Wilma. Bob is survived by his loving daughter Janet McClure and her husband John of Monument, Colorado; 6 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many others who loved him dearly.

A memorial service was held at Grace Community Church in Minden on Saturday, October 27, 2018. A graveside service followed at Walton’s Carson Gardens in Carson City, Nevada.

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