George (Buzz) Orman Edes passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on June 16, 2011.
Buzz was a native of Morgan Hill, the son of Clyde O. Edes and Mae Edes, and grandson of George A. Edes. George A. Edes came to the fledgling town of Morgan Hill in 1892 from South Dakota to start the first newspaper, The Morgan Hill Sun.
Buzz descended from a long line of printers going back to Benjamin Edes, co-proprietor of the seditious Boston Gazette. The participants of the Boston Tea Party dressed in the print shop of the Boston Gazette.
Buzz was born June 23, 1920, attended Morgan Hill School and graduated from Live Oak High School on June 14, 1938. He attended San Jose State College until January 8, 1942 when he enlisted in the Navy to defend our country. Buzz served as Gunners Mate, First Class on board the U.S.S. Ramapo in the Aleutian Islands, then later on the U.S.S. Rotanin in the South Pacific. He was actively involved in moving troops from one island battle to another in that theatre.
After the war, Buzz returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Maxine Ryser. They were married on September 16, 1945. This year they would have celebrated their sixty sixth year together.
While Buzz was in the Navy, his father Clyde bought a hardware store in Morgan Hill and they worked as partners in Edes Hardware until they sold the store in 1959. Their slogan was, “For Your Hardware Needs Come to Edes.” After that, Buzz tried his hand in the travel business, followed by selling real estate in Northern California, especially at Lake Almanor. However, Buzz found it too difficult to work that far away from home and moved back to Morgan Hill to be closer to his family. It was a move he never regretted. He ventured into the restaurant business and opened “Buzz’s Drive-In” in south San Jose. Buzz saw the fast food invasion coming and sold his business in 1969. Always the innovator, he recognized the need for new home construction, especially due to the booming electronic industry in Silicon Valley, and relied on past experience in buying property and building homes. He built homes until 1978 when he was approached by a plumbing contractor to come to work in that industry. He accepted and continued to work in commercial plumbing until he retired in 1988.
Buzz loved to hunt, fish and shoot trap, and at various times was a member of the San Jose Trap and Skeet Club, Morgan Hill Fish and Game Club, The Morgan Hill Duck Club, the Kiwanis Club and the Hardware Association. He was known as an excellent shot by those who knew him and competed against him. He enjoyed going on pack trips in the Sierras with his family and his horses. Many stories have been floated around regarding hunting and fishing trips with his many friends and family. Some should not be retold!
In his retired years Buzz took up golf, woodworking, traveling and spending time with his wife and family. He loved his wife, his family and his home….he will be missed by all.
Buzz is survived by his wife Maxine, daughter Christy Cox(Dave), son Tim Edes(Susan), grandchildren Shaun Cox(Lori), Kelli Morgan(Dan), Melanie Litty(Jason), Kristi Mullally(Gerard), Ben Edes and Mary Ellen Edes, as well as great-grandchildren Taylor, Wyatt, Finnian, Averie, Scarlet and Liam. He is preceded in death by his sister, Norma Link, and his parents Clyde and Mae Edes.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday June 23, 2011, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Catherine Church in Morgan Hill, followed by interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by Johnson’s Funeral Home.
Many, many thanks to Hospice of the Valley to which donations may be sent.
