Edward James Ferdon Sr., 79, of Conway, died Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in Conway Hospital after complications caused by a series of blood clots. His departure was as peaceful as his soul. Ed was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, on June 24, 1929, a son of the late Richard James Ferdon Sr. and Maggie Camlin Ferdon. He grew up with his family above a small country store by the Black River outside Georgetown which the family owned and operated. He graduated from the Citadel in 1950. As a cadet, he was a member of the distinguished Summerall Guards. January 13, 1952, he married Sydney Anne Huskey from Sumter. In May of 1951, he began his service with the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division and was honorably discharged two years later as a 1st Lieutenant. In 1952, Ed and Sydney had their first son, Edward Ferdon, Jr. Eight weeks later, he was assigned to duty in Germany for 10 months. Upon returning from Germany, he relaxed for a few months at Pawleys Island, after which the family moved to Conway, and he began his 33 year career as the owner of the Western Auto dealership. Their son, Stephen Ferdon, was born in 1954 and passed away after an automobile accident in 1976. Shortly after moving to Conway, Ed served on the Conway City Council for 12 years and was a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church, organized in 1958. He was a scoutmaster for several years, president of the Rotary Club, and a 32nd degree Mason. In 1971 Ed and Sydney had their third son, Geoffrey Ferdon. In 1986 he sold the Western Auto Dealership and became a Real Estate Appraiser until his retirement in 2006. Ed was well known for many things: his unending kindness, honesty, integrity, generosity, loyalty, and his ability to keep you laughing with a good joke or two when appropriate. He was also a wonderful storyteller, to which his friends will certainly attest. If you spent much time with him around Conway, it quickly became obvious that nearly everywhere you went, he would know someone; and anyone who knew him loved him. It was impossible not to. He bravely battled Parkinsons Disease for nearly 18 years and always maintained his loving and gentle manner. Despite the challenges that life had given him, he was always a joy to be around. If judged by this alone, he was truly a remarkable man. He was also a devoted friend, father, and husband. To his sons, he was an impeccable role model as well as a generous teacher and source of guidance and inspiration. Ed’s faith in God was unmovable and he was active in his church in many ways, including as a teacher in the Men’s Class and a leader of the Disciple Bible Study for many years. He was a member of the Shepherding Group, a church group dedicated to visiting people in the hospital and those unable to leave their homes. Surviving are his wife, Sydney Ferdon of Conway; two sons, Edward James Ferdon Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Geoffrey Walsh Ferdon of Asheville, N.C.; and one brother, Richard James Ferdon Jr. of Georgetown. Memorial services will be held 4 p.m. Sunday in Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl Hunsucker and th Rev. Leon Newton officiating. The family will receive friends from 3 until 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009 in the church parlor. Please sign the online guest book for Mr. Ferdon at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com and at TheSunNews.com. Memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 198 Long Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Tags: 1950
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