![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0a45a214-6709-4ee9-ba77-7eecbfd22ccc-1.png?resize=696%2C445&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKenneth Edwards, a man who mastered the art of laughter and whose kindness rivaled the warmth of the Florida sun, passed away at the age of 85 in Winter Haven, Florida, on March 6, 2025. Born on February 22, 1940, in Freeman, West Virginia, Ken was welcomed into this world by his parents, Fulton and Pearl Edwards, both of whom he now rejoins along with his beloved wife, Vicky, and six brothers who predeceased him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After proudly serving his country as a Sergeant in the US Air Force, he joined the Missouri Police Force holding a number of roles. Ken seamlessly transitioned from defending the nation to safeguarding the shopping aisles as a security officer in retail\u2014a role where he might have been the only person to crack both jokes and codes with equal gusto. Known for his honesty and a smile that could defuse even the toughest of customers, Ken was a man of character and charisma. Kenneth’s life was a symphony of sweet moments spent on the hillside by lake waters, rod in hand, casting both lines and laughter, as well as the lively high notes of victory over a full house at the casino. He found immense joy under the glowing sun, whether golfing, swimming in the pool, or basking in the simple delight of good television\u2014where reruns of Perry Mason and The Andy Griffith Show met his notorious wit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter are his son Chris (Shawna) Edwards; his daughter Julie (Andy) Fish; Scott (Susan) Edwards. The twinkle in his eye will forever sparkle through his cherished grandchildren: Sarah, Courtney (Drew), Amanda, Jason, Devon, Dustin, Bo, Alex, Andrew, and his 10 great-grandchildren, who are sure to inherit his sense of humor and his knack for storytelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equipped with a fishing pole, a sense of adventure, and an unwavering honesty wrapped in a warm, welcoming smile, Ken lived a life rich with laughter and generosity. His departure marks the end of an era for his family, but his stories will echo in their hearts forever. In honoring Ken’s wish to keep celebrations light, his family invites condolences to be shared in the spirit of joy and remembrance. While the details of a memorial service are not set at the moment, they are confident that Ken would like you to tell a good joke to a friend or seize a moment of fun in his memory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A funeral service will be held May 9th, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kenneth Edwards February 22nd, 1940 – March 6th, 2025 Kenneth Edwards, a man who mastered the art of laughter and whose kindness rivaled the warmth of the Florida sun, passed away at the age of 85 in Winter Haven, Florida, on March 6, 2025. Born on February 22, 1940, in Freeman, West Virginia, Ken was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":76417,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[24,28,983,23],"class_list":{"0":"post-76419","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-obits","8":"tag-in-loving-memory","9":"tag-oak-ridge-funeral-care","10":"tag-obit","11":"tag-obituary"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0a45a214-6709-4ee9-ba77-7eecbfd22ccc-2-1.png?fit=2000%2C1280&ssl=1","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t