Commander Stephen R. Edson, Jr.

Commander Stephen R. Edson, Jr., born in Medford, Massachusetts on February 24, 1927, died of lung cancer on Friday, October 23, 2009, in Gautier, MS. Commander Edson was a veteran of 25 years naval service. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served in seven different ships and various shore stations as both a sailor in World War II, and an officer in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Cold War. He also served in the U.S. embassies in Madrid, Spain and Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was presented to its president in recognition of his success in improving joint naval operations. A fluent Spanish linquist, he also served in the Atlantic Fleet War Room during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He has traveled in seven continents, over 50 countries, all the oceans and most of the seas. In addition to his Naval service he served as President of a software and oceanography company, and 20 years as a financial executive in Bell Atlantic, from which he retired. A graduate of Georgetown University Foreign Service School, he was also a member of the American Mensa Society, U.S. Navy League, USS Landing Craft Infantry Association, USS Gatling Association, and Georgetown University Alumni Association. He was also an avid stamp, coin and gem collector and a martial artist. His retirement activities included financial ventures, diving expeditions, fishing trips (landed a 330 lb. Blue Marlin in Baja), mineral explorations in Borneo. Among the dozens of cruises he and his wife, Elaine, enjoyed, were two round-the-world trips of 3 and 4 months on a German container ship and German freighter, circumnavigation of South America on a Greek ocean liner, and explorations up the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Commander Edson was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Edson of Richmond, VA., his granddaughter, Nicole Edson of Norfold, VA., his parents, Vice Admiral and Mrs. Stephen R. Edson of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and his brother, James F. Edson of Kensington, Maryland. Survivors include his wife, Elaine Punzo Edson of Gautier, MS., his daughter, Patricia Edson of Richmond, VA., son, Stephen R. Edson III of Spotsylvania, VA., grandsons, Stephen R. Edson IV of Newport News, VA., and Charles W. Edson of Virginia Beach, VA., sisters, Mary DePrisco of Naples, FL., and Alice Grady of Diamondhead, MS., brothers, Peter J. Edson of Washington, DC, and Charles T. Edson of Diamondhead, MS., stepchildren, Deborah Mayer of Stafford, VA., Leonard Vergunst of Ocean Springs, MS., and Daniel Vergunst of Woolmarket, MS. Visitation will be on Monday, October 26, 2009, 6 PM until to 8 PM, with a 7 PM Rosary, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, there will be a 12 Noon Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gautier, MS., where friends may visit from 11 AM - 12 Noon. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 809 De LaPointe Drive, Gautier, MS. 39553.