Date of Death: January 3, 2020
Service Details
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. to celebrate Greg’s life on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Hohner Funeral Home. Family and friends will also hold a Celebration of Greg’s Life on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 2;00 p.m. at Sturgis American Legion, 500 W. Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091.
Obituary Notice
Gregory “Chief” Eugene Edwards, age 65, of Three Rivers passed away at his home with his family following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia on Friday, January 3, 2020. He was born on January 13, 1954 in Flint, MI the son of Robert McGruder and Mareno Edwards.
Greg attended school in his early years in Flint, MI, moving to Sturgis in Junior High and graduating with the class of 1973. He went on to graduate from Central Michigan University in 1978, earning a B.S. in Education. While at CMU, Greg met Debra (Hart). They were married on January 30, 1981.
Greg taught elementary physical education for Three Rivers Community Schools until his retirement in 2011. He loved teaching, but coaching was his passion. He was a proud Wildcat Football coach for over 20 years and coached girls’ track for a number of years. Greg loved his family and adored spending time with his grandchildren. He played on several recreational softball teams throughout the years. Chief was famous for his Karaoke performances throughout the area and his talent at the BBQ grill, a talent he passed on to his sons.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, sister, Terri McGruder and brother, Arthur Terrell.
Surviving to cherish his memory is wife Debra Edwards of Three Rivers; sons, Marcus Edwards and Kevin Edwards both of Three Rivers; grandchildren; Charolette, Daniella, and Benson; Landen and Brooklyn all of Three Rivers; brothers, Theaphlias Terrell of Huntsville, AL, Pierre Terrell of Huntsville, AL, Terrance Bailey of Washington D.C., Kelsey McGruder of Elgin, IL; sisters; Yvette Veal of Huntsville, AL, Sheila McGruder of Flint, MI, L’Tanya Spratlen of Detroit, MI, and Alyse Beard of Flint, MI; special Uncle, Wendell (Sandra) Edwards, Trotwood, OH; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Additional Information
Memorial donations may be directed Three Rivers Health Homecare and Hospice or the Edwards Family c/o Deb Edwards. Envelopes available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Deb, Marcus and Kevin,
Greg was one of my best friends and he will be dearly missed. We created a lot of great memories throughout the years . Greg was kind and a good listener. I can say that I don’t recall ever having a negative discussion with him throughout our 50+ years of friendship. His musical influence on my life will never be forgotten. My only regret is that I never got to go with him to see George Clinton. I loved him like a brother.
Deb and family,
So proud to have known Greg. Thank you for loving him. Continued prayers for you as you navigate life without your precious husband, father, grandpa. Stay strong.❤️
A,F.Terrell to my cousin with much love and you was and always will be the greatest cousin of all
My name is JT Terrell son of jettie Terrell and Cecilia TerrellI remember my cousin when we were little and we used to go out and play with all of the family boy cousins Arthur Theophilus Yvette and Pierre I also remember when Greg introduced us to his wife Debra thank you for loving him and giving him too beautiful Sons and grandkids ♥️ my sister Cecilia Ann and my brother Alberto Terrell pray for your family at this time we are family always and we will never forget a love the wisdom and the sharing of a great man God bless him ?
Deb, Kevin and Marcus,
I was so sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. My heart goes out to all of you.
Cheif will be dearly missed & loved
I am sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. He worked in my classroom at Pathfinder and surely loved all the kids, no matter what their disability. He was a friend and I know he will be missed by many.
Love you Edwards Family. We will miss you Uncle Greg. I’ll never forget being introduced to George Clinton and listening to Parliament in the family van on the way home from Open Gym.
Rest easy
I met Greg Edwards in an unusual way. I had just come to Three Rivers to help coach a varsity football team that hadn’t won a game in 3 years or had a winning record in over a decade. Sturgis was a very good football team at the time and their star running back was Greg Edwards, who scored several times that night as they beat us by 50+ points. Years later I met “Chief” who always had a smile that always made me smile. Tom
To Deb, Marcus, and Kevin,
So sorry to hear about Chief. You and your family have been an inspiration to me. The good news is you have to know how he influenced so many in and around TR. He could be a hoot! I enjoyed working with him at Park. We as a family have appreciated him as a coach, teacher, and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
So very sorry for his families loss , he will be missed by many!
May the Lord keep u in his arms from aunt cookie
Deb and family,
We are so sorry to hear of “Chief’s” passing. We have lots of fun memories.
Steve and Karen Bailey
Remember “Chief” from men’s softball in the early 80’s. It was a great time. He had a smile and personality that was infectious to all who knew him.
I’m sorry for your and our loss of chief
Greg was a good man with an infectious smile and laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
God bless you and your family.
Deb, Marcus, Kevin and family……Your father and Dad was an incredible person. I worked with him for many years for TR Schools. He was a friend, colleague, coach, and wore many hats. He was a musician and enjoyed karaoke at Bud’s Bar in Schoolcraft. I remember his stories about cowboys and the vacation out west. Greg will live in many hears of students and adults forever. Memories of good times. Rest In Peace “Chief”. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Death ends a life; Not a relationship.”
RIP Chief
Greg, you left us to soon and will be missed?
RIP CHIEF, you taught me a lot about playing the game of football. Gonna miss you. Sending prayers for the family.
To Greg’s wife and family; my heartfelt love and sympathy. To Greg’s wife: I am especially sending prayers to you. We met at the Tuesday Caregiver’s meeting. May you feel the Lords peace and love.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family ??♥️??♥️??♥️
I’m so sorry to hear of Greg‘s passing… Love to Deb and the boys…
Dawn McNeill and Katie McNeill Rodgers
RIP Chief. You was a Great coach n Teacher at TRHS. You will be missed the Evans family send there condolence to the Edwards family
My condolences are with the family
So sorry to be seeing this. I will always remember when we worked together. You always had a smile and a kind caring heart for those we served. I am certain God has made a special place for you. My thoughts and prayers to the family.