Curtis LeVerne (C.L.) Edwards, 95, of Panhandle, passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2014. Visitation will be held at Minton-Chatwell Funeral Home in Panhandle on June 11 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Panhandle on June 12 at 2:00 p.m. with former pastor Steve Vernon officiating. A private burial will follow at White Deer Cemetery. Arrangements are by Minton-Chatwell.

C.L. Edwards was born in White Deer, TX to Neal and Kate (Moss) Edwards on February 26, 1919. He graduated from White Deer High School as Salutatorian and attended Texas Tech University.

He married Hazel Colgrove in 1939. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII from 1944-1946. Edwards, a lifetime Democrat, proudly worked as a wheat farmer in Carson County his whole life. He was one of six men who helped to charter the Texas Wheat Producers Association (TWPA) in 1950. He was a charter member of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), also founded in 1950. From that time forward, Edwards helped to promote wheat domestically and abroad. He served as President of the TWPA from 1960-1962 and served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1970 to present. In addition, Edwards was appointed to serve on the USDA Committee on Feed Grains and Wheat in 1961 by Secretary Orville Freeman under President John F. Kennedy and was reappointed under President Lyndon B. Johnson. From 1953-1973, he served on the State ASCS Committee. He was also an instrumental member of the Federal Land Bank Board for 38 years. He was proud to have graced the May 1963 cover of Texas Farmer-Stockman Magazine and received the awards of "Who's Who in Texas" in 1975 and "Wheat Man of the Year" in 2002.

Edwards was always very civic-minded. He served on the City Council, Panhandle School Board, and Garretson's Retirement Home board for many years and was a Master Mason for 67 years. Edwards loved God and his First Baptist Church of Panhandle and served it in many capacities including deacon since 1948.

Mr. Edwards is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Hazel Colgrove Edwards; and his younger brother, Nathan Edwards.

Mr. Edwards is survived by his wife, Karren Edwards of Panhandle; his daughter and son-in-law, Bette and Cecil Carpenter of Amarillo; his son, Ronnie Edwards of Amarillo; granddaughter, Lisa Neese; granddaughter and husband, Leslie and Chris Lee; granddaughter and husband, Debbie and Dean Munson; grandson, Jeff Edwards; granddaughter and husband, Dondra and Randy Stang; seven great-grandchildren; step-son, Steve Spalding; and step-daughter and husband, Dedria and Curtis Crain.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to White Deer Cemetery Association, First Baptist Church of Panhandle – general fund, or charity of choice.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Chu and staff of Amarillo Heart Group, The Arbors Rehab and their loving staff, Panhandle EMS, Accolade Home Health and Hospice for final care, family and friends. Our quick-witted, ultimate Mr. Fix It, candy man and published poet will probably be missed most for his gentle face which always twitched with orneriness.

(Published in Amarillo Globe-News, June 10, 2014)