Obituary
Born in Crescent City at the picturesque Seaside Hospital where his mother, Naomi would be employed for 25 years. Jeff would live his first 18 years growing up in the family home on Cooper Avenue, which was built by his father, Tom Edwards. Jeff was happiest while near the ocean for all his life.
Jeff (his name of choice until joining the Coast Guard) learned to fish at an early age at his father’s side. They discovered many favorite fishing holes on the Smith River and enjoyed the sport, nature and time in each other’s company. He also learned to hunt safely with his dad, and they enjoyed the many opportunities the area provided.
Three men in Jeff’s younger years were very influential in his Character development. His dad, Tom, taught him about independence and stability. From his schoolteacher Bob Harper, he learned the value of a curious mind and the importance of lifelong learning. From his Sunday school teacher, Leland Simonson, Jeff learned Bible principles such as giving to others and showing good habits in work and play. These lessons were all reinforced at home by his parents.
Jeff was eager to earn his own money, along with his sister Kathleen, by selling newspapers on the street, even in the frequent rainy weather of Crescent City. They also worked in the lily fields each season. His ambition next landed him a job at a nearby gas station where he learned about cars, customer service and responsibility- he was even trusted to close the business many evenings.
Family vacations were a combination of camping- his dad’s requirement and visiting family – his mother’s. Camping at different place each year instilled a love of enjoying the great outdoors from a very real vantage point. When Jeff became a father to his son, Scott., they would visit Del Norte County by way of campsites and fishing holes all along the trip.
Del Norte High was a great time for Jeff. He was happiest when he was working on his ’57 Chevy, which he paid for with his job earnings. After graduating in 1967, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he was stationed for a time tending lighthouses. His military career then took him on an assignment to the South Pole on an ice breaker ship. He worked on the diesel engines where he gained knowledge and experience that he would use for the rest of his working years.
After serving honorably in the Coast Guard, Jeff moved to Southern California, married and had his only child. Scott was employed by the BBSF Railroad until his retirement. Once retired, Jeff bought a home in Moreno Valley and continued to tinker on cars and motorcycles and anything with an engine. He enjoyed stories of his 4 grandchildren and regular phone chats with his mother. He lived there until his death on October 15, 2025.
Jeff is survived by his mother, Naomi Stevens, his son, Scott Edwards and wife Marjorie and their children Nehemiah, Theodore, Isaac, Abigail, his sister Kathleen Mendez and her husband Frank, niece Christy Carrigg, nephew Jimmy Russel and loving aunt, Rose Pialorsi (who just celebrated her 100th) and many, many, cousins. Preceded in death by his father Tom Edwards