The Idaho Statesman
Boise, Idaho
Saturday, July 21, 2001
"Paul Wilson Edwards
'If a man has two pennies he should buy a loaf of bread with one - which will sustain his life and a flower with the other which will give him a reason to live.' Chinese Proverb
Paul Wilson Edwards was born April 22, 1921, at his family home on Hill road. He shared this special event with his twin brother Arthur. Paul passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2001, on Tamarack Street, not a block from his birthplace. In most of the 80 years he spent on earth, Paul and his family grew flowers and vegetables for the Boise Valley. This was accomplished on the land between his home, as a child and later his final place of residence.
Paul was born to Thomas Franklin Edwards and Pearl Anna Wilson Edwards in Boise. He attended Collister School and Boise High School graduating in 1940. He went to Idaho State University in Pocatello for one year, majoring in technical education in aviation repair. He joined the Navy in 1941 and spent six months in Guadalcanal. Paul attained the rank of chief petty officer. Upon returning home from the service he went to work as an airplane mechanic for United Airlines in Oakland, Calif.
In 1947 Paul returned to Boise and joined the family business, T.F. Edwards and sons, a produce farm specializing in sweet potatoes, Spanish onions and other vegetables grown in their geothermal heated greenhouses. Paul was instrumental in introducing many new hybrid varieties to the valley. He was also recognized by his peers as one of the finest Easter lily growers in the Pacific Northwest.
Paul married Josephine (Dody) Thornton in 1951 at Winnemucca, Nev., and together they expanded a thriving wholesale business into a retail business with a store on site.
Paul was a third generation Boise native and an active member of the community. He was president of the Boise City Canal Co. from 1949 to 1996. He was a volunteer member of the Collister Fire Department. He was also a member of the Idaho Florist Association and one of the founding members of the Washington Floricultural Association. In 1983, Paul was recognized by the Mayor's committee on Employment of the Handicapped and Older Worker. He was The Idaho Statesman's Distinguished Citizen on Jan. 8, 1984. Paul promoted horticulture in the Boise schools. He was on the Borah High School horticultural advisory board and routinely welcomed many students for tours.
Paul believed that flowers created a beautiful community and was an early promoter of public gardens. He build the first commercial quonset greenhouse in the Treasure Valley to grow flowers for the opening of Ann Morrison Park in 1960. He also generously donated to the Nampa Park and the Western Idaho Fair.
In 1987 Paul and Dody were recognized by the city of Nampa for their contribution to the beautification of the park. In 2000 they were once again honored by Mayoral Proclamation. Upon the 70th anniversary of Edwards Greenhouse, Oct. 1, 2000, was Paul and Dody Edwards Day in Boise.
Paul was a member of Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and the El Korah Shrine.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Josephine (Dody); and three daughters..."
The Idaho Statesman
Boise, Idaho
Saturday, July 21, 2001
"Paul Wilson Edwards
'If a man has two pennies he should buy a loaf of bread with one - which will sustain his life and a flower with the other which will give him a reason to live.' Chinese Proverb
Paul Wilson Edwards was born April 22, 1921, at his family home on Hill road. He shared this special event with his twin brother Arthur. Paul passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2001, on Tamarack Street, not a block from his birthplace. In most of the 80 years he spent on earth, Paul and his family grew flowers and vegetables for the Boise Valley. This was accomplished on the land between his home, as a child and later his final place of residence.
Paul was born to Thomas Franklin Edwards and Pearl Anna Wilson Edwards in Boise. He attended Collister School and Boise High School graduating in 1940. He went to Idaho State University in Pocatello for one year, majoring in technical education in aviation repair. He joined the Navy in 1941 and spent six months in Guadalcanal. Paul attained the rank of chief petty officer. Upon returning home from the service he went to work as an airplane mechanic for United Airlines in Oakland, Calif.
In 1947 Paul returned to Boise and joined the family business, T.F. Edwards and sons, a produce farm specializing in sweet potatoes, Spanish onions and other vegetables grown in their geothermal heated greenhouses. Paul was instrumental in introducing many new hybrid varieties to the valley. He was also recognized by his peers as one of the finest Easter lily growers in the Pacific Northwest.
Paul married Josephine (Dody) Thornton in 1951 at Winnemucca, Nev., and together they expanded a thriving wholesale business into a retail business with a store on site.
Paul was a third generation Boise native and an active member of the community. He was president of the Boise City Canal Co. from 1949 to 1996. He was a volunteer member of the Collister Fire Department. He was also a member of the Idaho Florist Association and one of the founding members of the Washington Floricultural Association. In 1983, Paul was recognized by the Mayor's committee on Employment of the Handicapped and Older Worker. He was The Idaho Statesman's Distinguished Citizen on Jan. 8, 1984. Paul promoted horticulture in the Boise schools. He was on the Borah High School horticultural advisory board and routinely welcomed many students for tours.
Paul believed that flowers created a beautiful community and was an early promoter of public gardens. He build the first commercial quonset greenhouse in the Treasure Valley to grow flowers for the opening of Ann Morrison Park in 1960. He also generously donated to the Nampa Park and the Western Idaho Fair.
In 1987 Paul and Dody were recognized by the city of Nampa for their contribution to the beautification of the park. In 2000 they were once again honored by Mayoral Proclamation. Upon the 70th anniversary of Edwards Greenhouse, Oct. 1, 2000, was Paul and Dody Edwards Day in Boise.
Paul was a member of Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and the El Korah Shrine.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Josephine (Dody); and three daughters..."
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