Thomas James "Tom" Edwards

Mr. Thomas "Tom" Edwards, age 69, a longtime resident of San Augustine, TX and owner of San Augustine Gun Shop passed from this life on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in Lufkin, TX. Tom was born to Hattie (Palmer) Edwards and Arthur Edwards on April 10, 1944, in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Chisago City High School in 1961. He, along with his wife, Kristi owned and operated the San Augustine Gun Shop for some 36 years. Over the years, Tom felt strongly about giving back to the community which he was proud to call home.

He contributed in different ways through community service. He served as a hunter education instructor in the State of Texas since 1979. In the early 1980's, he was a charter member and willing volunteer in the Redlands Gun Club. He held National Rifle Association credentials as an NRA instructor in Certified Home Firearms Safety, Certified Pistol and Certified Rifle.

He also held a TECLOSE Peace Officers and TECLOSE Instructor License, proudly serving as an unpaid deputy for the County of San Augustine and donating his time for firearms training for the county and the city of San Augustine, as well as surrounding counties and cities. In 1995, he became a Concealed Handgun Instructor for the State of Texas and was still actively instructing up to the time of his death. In honor of Tom's memory, we encourage donations of time to the organizations in your community. "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss

Survivors include: wife: Kristi Edwards of San Augustine; daughters: Francine Edwards-Overbo and her husband, Gerald along with their children, Rachel, Neal, Geraldo, Isaac, Hannah and Neal's son Logan of Minneapolis, MN; Jessica Edwards-Smith and her husband, John-Paul, along with their children, Sara and Clare of Minneapolis, MN; son, Michael Edwards of Santa Fe, New Mexico and his son, Mitchell; Sister: Audrey Weida of Belton, MO, and her children, John and his wife Bonnie along with their children, Michael and Jenna of Reston, VA; Paul and his wife Anita of Lee’s Summit, MO; Gary and his sons Tony and Tom of Rogers, MN; and Rob and his wife Kelley and their sons, Dan and Joe of Peculiar, MO; Sister: Jackie Sellman and her husband, Terry along with their children, Theresa Glenna and her husband, Heith, and their daughters, Kailey, Kari, Sydney and Lana of Lindstrom, MN; Christina Mickelson and her husband, Mike and their sons, Laine, Gage and Wyatt, of Chisago City, MN; Sister: Jane Genske and her husband, Don of Irving, NY along with their children, Rudy Genske his daughter, Christina Tang and her husband John; Marian Worrell and her husband Greg of Jamestown, NY; along with a beloved deceased sister: Audrey Christianson, and her surviving children, Jason Christianson and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Zachary, Trinity and Aidan of Apple Valley, MN. Tom is also survived by many other relatives and extensive community family friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Hattie and Arthur Edwards; and sister, Audrey Christianson.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in the Fellowship Hall at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City, MN. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service in Fellowship Hall.