James Edwards Obituary

James E
Edwards
March 24, 1924
August 28, 2022

James E. Edwards' remarkable life began in Montgomery, West Virginia on March 24, 1924. As a physician, father of eleven, and devoted husband, he lived a very fulfilling life. When he enlisted to serve in WWII, he trained in the artillery, but when the army learned how accomplished he was at the trumpet, he was assigned to play trumpet in the Pacific Theater. After retirement, he played in different bands up until age 80. Along with his wife, Nancy, he was a regular attendee at the Colorado Springs Symphony and Opera.
He met the love of his life, Nancy, at a party and days after their first date, she had a serious equestrian accident that left her in a coma and required many years of physical and speech therapy. He stuck with her through it all and their tremendous romance lasted nearly 70 years. He was very patient with his wife's physical disabilities and was devoted to her care until the end of her life.
Known as "Dr. Jim" to many, he was dedicated to the practice of medicine. He received a baccalaureate degree from Harvard University in biochemical sciences, a master's degree in pharmacology from the University of West Virginia, and his medical degree from Boston University. He moved his family from Boston to Colorado Springs in 1954, did residency at Penrose Hospital, and then practiced medicine in Colorado Springs for his entire career. In private practice as a general practitioner, he felt it important to know his patients personally, and even did house calls. Dr. Jim served on the board of Penrose Hospital, Sunnyrest (Sunny Vista) nursing home and was an on-staff physician for Brady Psychiatric Hospital. He also worked in the emergency rooms during night shifts when the hospitals were short-staffed.
He was a life-long learner. Each summer he would close his practice for three or four weeks to drive his large family around the country. With as many as 12 family members in the family vehicle, he drove to 48 states, Mexico and Canada. The family set up camp every night and his mantra of "leaving the place better than we found it" encapsulates how he lived his entire life.
He volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and also was a game doctor at Garry Berry stadium for many Wasson football games. He represented the American Cancer Society in lectures he gave about the dangers of smoking and was a chapter president of the American Heart Association and also held positions with the El Paso County Medical Society.
Dr. Jim and Nancy attended Grace Episcopal Church and toward the end of her life they also attended St. George's Anglican Church.
Dr. Jim was preceded from this life by his wife Nancy (1926-2016), and his sons Joseph (1961) and Michael (1958-2018). He is survived by his children Ellen Miller, Bill, John, Jim, Nancy Brouillette, Robert, Barbara Barker, Debora Kovensky and David. He has 28 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on November 5th at 10 am., 601 N Tejon St. COS