Oliver Tex Edwards, age 85, of Crocker, was born March 11, 1936, at Mildred, in Taney County, Missouri, the son of Virgil Lee and Joean (Moore) Edwards, and passed from this life Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Phelps Health, Rolla.

On August 24, 1954, at St. Louis, Tex entered active federal service in the United States Navy and served until July 30, 1958, when he was honorably discharged at San Francisco, California, at the rank of Signalman Third Class (SM3).  During his naval career, Tex served on board the USS Pine Island and the USS Ticonderoga and was awarded and entitled to wear the Good Conduct Medal and the China Service Medal.  A man of excellent character, Mr. Edwards' Honorable Discharge is a testimonial of selfless and dedicated service to his country.

He was united in marriage August 12, 1966, at Palace, Missouri, to Deloris Jean York, who survives at their home near Crocker.  Their next wedding anniversary, Tex and Deloris would have celebrated fifty-five years of married life together.

Tex accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized during his life and was a member and served as a Deacon of Hawkeye Baptist Church, Hawkeye, Missouri.  He was a lifetime member and Adjutant of the Estill Pummill American Legion Post 195 in Crocker.  Tex was also a member and avid supporter of the National Rifle Association.

During his working life, Tex was employed as a Middle School Art Teacher at Wood Junior High School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for thirty years prior to his retiring as a teacher in 1995.  Also, he established Edwards Auction Service in 1981, and kept his auction service operating until 2006.  Tex never really retired and was always busy with projects and activities such as recent incident of climbing a ladder, being on the roof, and sweeping leaves off the roof.  You might say, "Oh my gosh, at his age!", but Tex thought he could still do most anything and did until just a few days prior to his passing.  All through his life, he was a collector of antiques and other items of interest and was a firm believer in recycling anything and everything that could be recycled, with the question always being, "What am I going to do with all this stuff?"

In addition to his loving and devoted wife, Deloris, others left to celebrate the life of Tex include their daughter, Deanna "Dede" Sanders and her husband, Terry, of Branson, Missouri; their grandson, Evan James Sanders, of Forsyth, Missouri; other relatives; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by grandson, Austin Cole Sanders, on January 11, 2020; his father, Virgil, on October 27, 1989; his mother, Joean, on April 11, 2005; and his sister, Linda Joan Morgan, on May 21, 2006.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Tex Edwards will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, in Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, 416 North Commercial Street, Crocker, Missouri 65452, with Terry Sanders, Roy Gilkey, and Evan Sanders officiating.

A private family inurnment for Tex will be in the Palace Cemetery, Evening Shade, Pulaski County, Missouri.  Honorary pallbearers for Tex will be Terry Sanders, Austin Sanders, Evan Sanders, Eli York, Joe Ashworth, and Lars Olson.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Tex Edwards are suggested by his family to the Loving Paws Adoption Center in Crocker; the Crocker Senior Citizens Center; or the Crocker Presbyterian Church Food Pantry with envelopes available day of service at the funeral home or in care of Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, P.O. Box 700, Crocker, Missouri 65452.