Benjamin Thomas "Tom"
Edwards, M.D.
Our beloved brother and uncle passed away on July 10, 2013 of natural causes at the age of 88. A graduate of Columbia Medical School, the University of Arizona, and Tucson High School, Dr. Edwards practiced general surgery in his birthplace of Tucson for nearly 40 years. Dr. Edwards was the son of Dr. Benjamin Bryant Edwards, M.D. and Gladys M. Edwards (Nicholson) of Tucson. After graduating from medical school in 1950, he joined the Air Force, where he was primarily stationed in Germany and Turkey. Upon his return from the armed services, he continued in public service acting as the only doctor serving the Defense Early Warning "DEW Line" radar stations in Alaska that protected our country from the threat of nuclear war in the late 1950's. He flew all over Alaska to serve the service personnel on the DEW line as well as, when called upon, the native communities. He often provided the only medical care these communities had seen on-site before, and brought many children into this world there. Upon his return to Tucson to start his medical practice in 1960, Dr. Edwards opened a practice with Brett Czerny, M.D. Dr. Edwards also acted as a surgeon for Pima County during the 1960's, in whose service he practiced medicine at the old County Hospital on South 6th Avenue. Dr. Edwards deeply enjoyed his medical practice and his patients and devoted his entire efforts to bringing them back to health. At home, his instincts as a physician benefitted a family of dogs and cats and (at times) abandoned javalina babies. Dr. Edwards' wonderful sense of humor, often including off-color jokes (when appropriate), earned him friendship with anyone and everyone at any time. He was a master at random acts of kindness. Dr. Edwards leaves behind his sister, Helen Edwards Osborne (Earl Dean) of Tucson, Arizona and brother, John Milton Edwards (Jauna) of Palmer, Alaska. He leaves behind his nephews, John Edwards Osborne (Diana) of Tucson and Bryant Edwards (Angie) of Palmer and niece, Nelta Edwards of Anchorage, Alaska, as well as their children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a homeless shelter of your choice. Memorial Services will be held at the ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern, Tucson, Arizona at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013.