NATURAL BRIDGE, NY – Delbert L. Edwards, 61, formerly of Henry Road, Natural Bridge, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 3, 2019, at Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse.
Delbert was born in Watertown, New York, a son to the late Donald C. and Marilyn (Montondo) Edwards Draper. He grew up in Natural Bridge, where he attended the Natural Bridge School.
In 1976, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was part of the 81st Airborne where he became injured and was honorably discharged in 1977. Delbert spent his early adulthood traveling along the east coast between New York and Florida. Later, he worked at the United States Army Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) at Fort Drum for many years.
Delbert was an active member of the Natural Bridge Fire Department, serving on the Executive Board. He was also the Natural Bridge Fire Police Captain for a time. He served as the Sergeant of Arms for the Jefferson County Fire Police Association.
He was well known in the area for logging in the woods and working with many of the locals. He had many accomplishments in his life, including participating in the Woodsmen’s Field Days and the Waterball Tournaments through the fire department. His second greatest accomplishment, besides his daughters, was climbing 20 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. His goal was to finish them.
He is survived by his stepmother, Velma Edwards of Kentucky; three daughters, Cheyenne (Walt) Weaver of St. Petersburg, FL; Destiny Swink and her fiancé, Joseph Kujat of Murfreesboro, TN; Zyna Edwards and her companion Jeffery Davis of Harrisville, NY; three siblings, Vicki (Van) Newton of Tylerville, NY; Angie (John) Lovelace of Kentucky; and Marvin Edwards of Kentucky; six grandchildren that he loved spoiling, Scarlett, Aeila, Walter III, Paisley, Leonidas and Kalista; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Delbert was predeceased by a sister, Vera Romosier as well as an infant sister, Regina.
Callings hours will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage, NY. A funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Canon Samuel P. Lundy officiating. A burial with military honors will then follow at Hillside Cemetery, Natural Bridge.
Please come dressed in your best flannel and jeans, as Delbert loved a flannel and jeans over fancy clothing any day.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his children Cheyenne, Destiny, and Zyna at 6495 Bougainvilla Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL 33707 to assist with his final expenses.
Arrangements are being handled by Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc.
Condolences may be made online at www.lundyfuneralhome.com.