Earl Arthur Edwards Sr. was born on the family farm in Upland, Kansas on October 19, 1918 to Arthur and Etheline (Pierce) Edwards. He had five siblings. He attended school at Fragrant Hill (a one-room school for 8 grades). He then Chapman High School, where he was an honor student all four years and lettered in three sports, graduating in 1938. Edwards served in the US Navy as a Pharmacy Mate 2nd Class from 1944 to 1946. His serial number is 9565947. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in microbiology. He was commissioned in the Navy Reserves as a Microbiologist in 1950, retiring as a Commander in 1977. He worked for the State of Wisconsin and the US Federal Government until retiring in 1984. His career took him to Madison and Beloit, Wisconsin, Great Lakes Naval Base and San Diego Naval Health Research Lab. He was awarded a US patent for a meningococcal vaccine. He was also a consultant to the World Health Organization. He was a dedicated scientist with over 90 publications on microbiology, Epidemology of Diseases, and Microbiology Diagnostic Technology. Earl trained others in Public Health Diseases and won numerous awards for his work. Earl served as Sunday School Superintendent, Adult Bible Study Teacher, Chairman of the Board of Education for the local Methodist Church, Lay Leader, and PTA President of an elementary school. Earl married his college sweetheart, Catharine Delta Sheahon Edwards in April, 1941. She preceded him in death in 1974. Earl is the father of six children. He is also the grandfather of 14, and great-grandfather of 11 children. Earl touched many lives during his life and will be well remembered by his family and friends, as well as those whose lives he saved by his dedication and medical expertise. He always ended his emails with "Keep a smile in your heart." Earl is buried at Liberty Cemetery in the Chapman, Kansas area, across from the former family farm where he spent his childhood years. Courtesy kshs.org, findagrave.com, newspapers.com.