Michael Ross Edwards
October 3, 1950-October 29, 2019
Michael Ross Edwards, age 69, of Highland Village, TX passed away on October 29, 2019. He was born October 3, 1950 in Detroit, MI and was a loving son to his mother Delorise Gilliam and father Kenneth Edwards. This past summer, he and his wife Carol (Booth) Edwards celebrated 47 years of marriage. He received a BBA in Management from Eastern Michigan, an MA in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He was a highly sought after consultant specializing in Technology and Outsourcing for the last 18 years. Prior to that, he was a Director at EDS for 15 years overseeing Deployment Services as well as Manager of Systems Engineering for Ford Motor Company for nearly 10 years.
Mike loved camping, cartoons and action movies. He was an avid runner completing multiple marathons and half-marathons, as well as coaching other runners with Luke’s Locker for over 14 years where he was famously known for his whistle! He loved hockey – whether watching his beloved Red Wings or getting thrown into the penalty box during beer league. His hospitality and generosity were well known – whether finding any excuse to host a party where he could grill hot dogs and hamburgers or simply playing outside with the neighborhood kids. Every person who had the pleasure of meeting Mike is better off for it. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter, Diana Edwards; his son, Brian Edwards; his sister Cheryl (Edwards) Horgan and her husband John; his Brother and Sister-in-Law, Ed and Tia Booth; Nephews, Michael Horgan and his wife, Sarah; Billy Horgan and his wife Kelsey, Robert Booth, Danny Booth and his wife Kelly; and Cousins, Charron and Butch, and his wife Joan.
Family, friends and others whose lives Mike touched are invited to Bridgeway Church – 8201 FM 407 Copper Canyon, TX 75077 on Saturday, November 2nd for a visitation from 1:30-2:30pm followed by a memorial service to honor Mike’s life.
Like many, I was shocked this week when I learned my friend and colleague, Mike Edwards, died suddenly. He had so much of life in front of him and was looking forward to a well-earned retirement. Mike was a fellow road warrior at TPI and then ISG over the past 2 decades. As fate would have it, I hardly knew Mike for many years, but then by chance we spent the better part of 2 years together on assignments in Chicago and then Raleigh / Durham. It was during this time on the road together, that I learned what kind of person Mike was.
Mike grew up in Michigan – with blue collar roots. Mike loved his wife Carol; you knew by the way he spoke about her. It was like the magic had never worn off, over so many years. And he cared deeply about his 2 kids, even though they did not always see eye to eye. He served in Viet Nam with the Army and it changed him. He spent time as a gunner in a Helicopter, he had several close calls, he lost some buddies. He would say, “Heck, I was just a kid, half-way across the world.” Over time, like many others, he got over the injustice of the war and became proud of his service, wearing his Viet Nam Veterans hat on Veterans Day. I will be thinking about that, this Veterans Day.
Mike respected hard work and an honest effort – even if it was not perfect. He was good in that way. He held you accountable and did not like slackers. He was not afraid to challenge you, if he had a different opinion. If he was on your Team he was loyal. It was like having a good co-pilot, he could do it all himself, but he didn’t mind letting you fly the plane. Mike railed at Leaders who put themselves ahead of the troops, those on the ground getting the job done, day-in and day-out. Mike liked the feeling of completing a big deliverable and meeting a big deadline for the Client. He also liked to have a stiff drink now and then to take the edge off a long day’s work.
Mike cared about his appearance and was a sharp dresser. He was fit and athletic. He was a longtime runner and coached groups of first timers attempting their first 10K or half-marathon. He would coach / train with them for months – and then run the race with them – by their side. Carol would race walk while Mike ran – and she was fast! He loved hockey and still played in a men’s league. We jogged and played racquet ball together on the road.
Like many of us, Mike appreciated the opportunities he had been given and the chance he had to earn a good living. He liked the good things in life but was not caught up in them. He did not need a lot of things to be happy. He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, like jumping into his pool to cool off in the summers. Or having some friends over for a barbecue.
I can’t think about Mike, without laughing first. I can see him saying, “If nominated I will not run, if elected I will not serve” – an inside joke which carried our Team in Chicago for more than a year. He had a great sense of humor and could appreciate yours. He enjoyed a good laugh and gave us many.
I will miss you Mike. Thank you for your Service my friend. I am honored to have been your friend.
Mike McMenamin