Dr. George Cleveland Edwards

Dr. George Cleveland Edwards, DVM, MPH; Major, U.S. Army, Veterinary Corps (Retired) passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. George was born at home in Samaria Crossroads (now Middlesex) on November 27, 1932 to the late Milton Glen Edwards and Foy Brantley Edwards. He graduated from Middlesex High School and attended North Carolina State University graduating with a BS in Animal Science. George then attended the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Having served in the Army ROTC throughout his college education, he then officially commissioned into the United States Army. He was stationed throughout the United States, Vietnam and Southeast Asia serving in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and additional assignments with First Special Forces out of Okinawa, Japan. Between active and reserve assignments in the U.S. Army he attended UNC Chapel Hill and earned his Master of Public Health. He then returned to active duty in the Veterinary Corps and served until he retired with the rank of Major.

Dr. Edwards practiced large and small veterinary medicine privately in Roxboro, Wendell and Knightdale, NC before being recruited by Commissioner Jim Graham to join the NC Department of Agriculture. After over twenty-five years of service in state government, George retired from the Department of Agriculture after serving many years as the State Veterinarian, member of the NC Veterinary Medical Board, and Director of the Division of Veterinary Services. After his retirement from public service he enjoyed traveling to countries far away and all over this beautiful state and country with his special friend Susan. Together they enjoyed making many wonderful new friends and reconnecting with many from his college days and years in military service.

George is survived by his daughters: Amy Jo Edwards and husband, Bill McConley and Kimberly Ruth Edwards and husband, Max A. Overman all of Raleigh; special friend and constant companion of many years, Susan H. Bradshaw of Raleigh; brother, M. Glen Edwards and wife, Gerry of Spring Hope and many beloved nieces and nephews and dear neighbors, colleagues and friends all over the United States.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Privette Edwards; brothers, William Sanford (Sandy) Edwards and Thomas Gerald Edwards.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, 809 W Gannon Ave, Zebulon, North Carolina 27597 with Reverend Tim Hopkins officiating and Masonic Rites and Military Honors.

A time of visitation and fellowship will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NC State University, College of Veterinary Medicine https://cvm.ncsu.edu/alumni-and-donors/

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