Kevin Edwards, 60, a longtime resident of Fillmore, CA and most recently of Dillard, OR, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2024, after suffering with some health issues.
Kevin was born on July 25, 1963, to James (Jim) Edwards and Sharon Edwards Gudgel in Santa Paula, CA. Although diagnosed with a serious heart condition and nearly drowning when he was two years old, Kevin overcame the odds and enjoyed an outstanding high school baseball and football career. He was the recipient of many athletic awards and was honored by being inducted into the Fillmore Sports Hall of Fame.
His former high school coach, Tom Ecklund, said “Kevin was an outstanding baseball player. He always enjoyed just being on the field and playing the game. Kevin was a very respectful young man. I very much enjoyed my time with Kevin both on and off the field.”
Kevin was featured in the 1982 National High School Athletes Achievements Ledger. He was recruited by multiple colleges and was offered a spot on the roster for the summer showcase program with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After Kevin graduated from Fillmore High School in 1982, he attended College of the Canyons in Valencia, where he played baseball.
Kevin spent his lifetime in the oil industry and retired as a tool pusher after 35 years. He volunteered for the Ventura County Search and Rescue team, assisting in the search for survivors after the La Conchita landslide, and various other natural disasters. He also served as a Youth Football Coach, a Little League and High School Baseball Coach and a youth baseball umpire.
His childhood friend, Matt Suttle spoke fondly of their shared love of sports and enduring friendship throughout elementary, junior high and high school. He said, “We were both very competitive when we played a sport, no matter what sport it was. The only issue I had was the fact that he was better than I was in most of those sports! After school, we would hit a tennis ball tied to a rope in his garage for hours. We even trusted each other to cut our hair. I guess that is why we both wore hats most of the time. I remember how we would go to his house after baseball practice, jump in the little blue VW bug, drive up Grand Avenue to go fishing. On weekends, we would jump in the back seat of Speed’s (Kevin’s grandfather) station wagon and go to Pepperdine or some college to watch his Uncle Rick and ORU play baseball.”
His sister Melissa (Missi) Sharp said that Kevin loved his family more than anything. She is so grateful to have spent the last few years of his life with him nearby in Oregon. She went on to share that “Kevin didn’t know a stranger. He would talk with anybody who would listen and of course, he would end up telling many jokes with his dry sense of humor.”
Kevin was the proud father of four sons, Kevin (Buddy), Michael, Anthony, and Brett. He was known as a very caring and kind person, quick to offer help to anyone in need (he would give the shirt off of his back), and always lightened the mood with his big smile, a joke, or a funny story.
Kevin loved everything about the outdoors (except spiders!) including hunting, spotting wildlife, reloading rifle ammunition, hiking, fishing, softball, barbecuing and smoking meat. He enjoyed Mexican, Asian and seafood, he listened to old school country music by artists such as Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, and enjoyed movies such as “Bull Durham,” “Princess Bride” and anything with John Wayne in it. He earned a place in the Boone and Crockett record book for his California Black Bear, and he loved to fish for trout with his sons, family, and friends at Convict Lake and on the Owens River. He enjoyed trips to the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bishop and Mammoth and took every opportunity to take his boys up Sespe in Fillmore. Kevin was known for his incredible tri-tip barbecues (he dreamt of opening a barbecue restaurant) and he generously prepared food for the Fillmore High School Wrestling Tournaments for numerous years.
Kevin was a good man, son, brother, Dad, Grandpa, and friend. Kevin, nicknamed “Jay-Joe” by his grandfather, brought life, laughter, and love to all he came in contact with. He had a wonderful way with people that made them feel comfortable and relaxed and he will be sorely missed.
His love of family, strong work ethic, big smile, kind heart, great laugh, quick wit, and his unending compassion are indelible memories that will be clung to by his family and friends.
Kevin was predeceased by his father, Jim Edwards; his maternal grandparents Kenneth (Speed) and Eleanor Stewart; his paternal grandparents Clinton and Willie Pearl (Billie) Edwards; his Aunt Marilyn Stewart, and his Aunt Martha Brozik. He is survived by his mother, Sharon Stewart Gudgel (Husband Roger); his stepmom, Rebecca Edwards; his sister Melissa (Missi) Sharp (Fiancée Mike White); his half-brother, Jason Edwards (Wife April); his half-sister, Jennifer Ramirez (Husband Abran Ramirez), and his four sons and their families: his son Kevin and his wife Brittany Edwards and grandchildren Kevin James Edwards III, Austin, and Brynn; his son Michael and his wife Julia and grandchildren Nilcen, Michael Jr. and Linda; his son Anthony and his wife KrisAnn and granddaughter Hazel; and his son Brett and his wife, Karrina, and grandchildren Lily, Simon, and Violet, along with many nephews, great-nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service may be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ventura County Search and Rescue Team or the Fillmore High School Booster Club.