Christopher "Chris" George Edwards

Christopher George Edwards

September 23, 1943 – July 4, 2026

Christopher George Edwards passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of adventure, ambition, and a deep love for his family and the arts.

Born in 1943 in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, England, Chris was the son of Thomas Edwards and Gladys Hammond. Growing up alongside his family, including his younger brother John and cousins Alan and Peter, he developed a sharp mind and a passion for precision. He studied mechanical engineering at Oxford University and began his professional life crafting technical drawings—a skillset that would eventually pave the way for a remarkable international career.

Chris had musical talents as well. He loved playing the drums and especially enjoyed Big Band music.

He also had a passion for ballroom dance and was awarded his bronze, silver, and gold medals. It was during this time that he met his wife-to-be Vivienne. In 1969, Chris and Vivienne married, and welcomed two daughters Michelle and Leonié. Driven by a dream to provide his family with greater opportunities, Chris secured a role in 1977 working on robotics for automotive assembly lines in Detroit, successfully moving his family across the Atlantic to America.

The family spent years exploring their new home country. Chris loved taking his family on memorable road trips across the Eastern United States, creating lifelong memories in Florida, Gulfport, Niagara Falls and Cape Cod. Later, a new career opportunity brought the family further west to Minnesota, where they spent nine years. Throughout their time in both Michigan and Minnesota, Chris was happiest outdoors—navigating lakes on the family boat and taking everyone on camping trips in their travel trailer.

In 1992, Christopher and Vivienne moved to Oregon, with his daughters following close behind the next year. Following his divorce in 1994, Chris’s adventurous spirit took him to various corners of the world. He lived in New York and spent time back in Europe—including England and Belgium—before eventually returning to Oregon.

Upon retiring, Chris chased the sun to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he could indulge in his lifelong passion for the theatre. He loved watching a performance as well as working behind the scenes. His technical talents even led him backstage on several Broadway productions as well as the Holt Center in Eugene. In his retirement years, he channeled his creativity into writing a play of his own.

Chris will be remembered as a kind father, a brilliant engineer, and a creative soul who was never afraid to leap across oceans to build a better life for his family and pursue a dream.

He is survived by his eldest daughter Michelle Stevens, his youngest daughter, Leonié Edwards, and her fiancé Joe Hagwood, his grandson Spencer Tucker, his former wife Vivienne Edwards-Berry, his brother John Edwards, and his cousins, Alan and Peter Denning.

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts..."

A burial service will be held at noon on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the IOOF (Odd Fellows) Cemetery in Lebanon, Oregon, where he will be laid to rest.