James Philip Edwards (Jim)

James Philip Edwards (Jim), 81 of Midland, TX, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. A visitation will begin at 5 pm on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at The Branch at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. Services will be 10 am Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Christ Church Anglican, 5501 N. Midkiff Rd., Midland, TX 79705. Interment of Jim’s ashes will follow at Christ Church Anglican columbarium.

Jim Edwards was an honorable man who loved God, his family and friends, and his country. He was known for his remarkable intelligence, wit, sense of humor, story-telling, and work ethic. He was just the nicest guy ever. Jim was handsome and charming and he got a big kick out of people telling him he didn’t look 81 years old.

Jim’s dad, C.M. Edwards, was serving in World War II when Jim was born on September 11, 1943, in Midland, TX. His mother, Ruth “Jo” Edwards, and his Grandma Kate doted on Jim and their love, no doubt, formed him into the wonderful man he became. The family grew to include a brother, Bruce Edwards, and a sister, Nancy Edwards. The family farmed cotton and ranched cattle in the Midland and Stanton area and later owned Edwards Hardware and Supply. Jim learned the water well business and how to put up windmills at an early age.

After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1962, Jim married Kay Beck (Edwards) and attended Texas Tech University where he studied mechanical engineering. He left college to work in the family business and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. Like his own father, Jim became a dad while serving overseas. James Philip Edwards, Jr., was born, and Jim welcomed him in his arms three months after his birth.

Jim was a proud veteran of the Vietnam war. He served as an infantry medic in a leadership position after training at Fort Polk, Fort Sam Houston, and Fort Hood. Lives were saved and men came home because of what Jim did on the battlefield and in helicopters. Jim was “Doc” to the countless men who depended on him. He earned the Combat Medical Badge and the Army Commendation Medal, among other awards, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 5.

Jim and Kay divorced soon after his return home. Carmen Smith (Edwards) moved in next door to him in a small apartment complex and a vibrant, everlasting, head-over-heels love story began. Jim and Carmen married on May 12, 1972. They shared a deep abiding faith in God throughout their amazing 53 years of marriage. They loved attending church together at Christ Church Anglican where Jim served as usher. Every Sunday, someone commented on Jim’s friendly and beautiful smile. Jim and Carmen enjoyed spending quiet times together, eating delicious food, and holding hands. Family times included laughter and story-telling. Jim’s grilled hamburgers, beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon, and barbecued spareribs were everyone’s favorites.

Katie Chrysteen Edwards (Grissam) was born in 1981. “Poo” was the light of Jim’s life and he was her rock. James lived in Houston and his visits and long stays made the family complete. Jim was incredibly proud of both of his children. Not to be understated, Jim was a wonderful husband and father.

Jim’s life took a dramatic turn on April 25, 2025, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The sudden onset of the serious illness sent Jim and Carmen to Baylor Scott and White’s cancer hospital in Dallas where they stayed until June 25^th. Jim’s heart desire was to be home with his dog, Lili, and family. He entered God’s holy, loving presence surrounded by Carmen, James, and Katie on July 2, 2025, in the home he loved.

Jim was good at everything he did and there was not much he could not do. Automotive racing was his passion and his career. He bought his first race car, a Triumph Spitfire, soon after marrying Carmen. Trips to Sports Car Club of America racing events were exciting and fun for the young couple. Jim was a highly competitive driver of the Spitfire and later in the stunning Lola Formula Ford that Carmen bought for him. In later years, Jim was the manager and crew chief for several race teams. Indy car racing remained his favorite, and with the knowledge and skills he gained through the years, he worked on the Midland-based Davis Racing team, the Indiana-based Stoops Racing team, and the Illinois-based team of Dale Coyne Racing. He was the gear box specialist but did any task needed for a successful race. Jim enjoyed mentoring young drivers. Among them was Rusty Mitchell with Midland-based Mitchell Motor Sports. He was a highly sought after driver who tested and developed cars such as a Swift Formula Atlantic.

In the early 1990s and until fairly recently, Jim landed the honor of restoring and maintaining Jim Hall’s Chaparral Racing car collection. The cars are world-famous and were ahead of their time in the 1960’s. Today, they are housed in a special wing at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. According to Jim Hall, Jim was “a superb racing mechanic, and quite a gifted racing driver.” In addition, “he became an expert on all of the retired Chaparral racing cars and helped the Museum keep them in excellent running condition. He became number one to drive them in exhibitions.” One of his favorite events was frequently escorting one or two of the Chaparral cars to Goodwood Revival at Goodwood located southwest of London, England.

In addition to race cars, Jim learned to fly single propeller planes. In the summers, he would take his family to visit other family members in further away parts of Texas. Jim had a deep love of animals and nature. He shared his life with pet dogs (including his sweet Lili), cats and backyard turtles.  Jim was loved and admired by hundreds around the country and the world. There will never be another Jim Edwards! He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carmen Edwards; daughter, Katie Chrysteen Grissam (Josh); son, James Philip Edwards, Jr. (Rebecca Lowe); grandson, Oliver Weldon; and step-grandchildren Tate Grissam, Chloe Grissam, and Lucy Grissam, and his vivacious French Bulldog, Lili. He was Uncle Jim to Jason Gray (Melinda Browder), Amy Gray (Terry Tucker); Amanda Quest (Brian Marburger, Emma), all of Midland, Texas, and Colin Smith (Stefani, Madison, and Dylan) of Euless, Texas.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, C.M. Edwards; mother, Ruth “Jo” Edwards; brother, Larry Bruce Edwards; sister, Nancy Elizabeth Edwards, and nephew, Patrick Quest.

We would like to express our gratitude to the friends and family who held us in their hearts and lifted us in prayer continuously through Jim’s illness.

We would love to help build the Jim and Carmen Edwards classroom block at Father Jerry Academy in Kenya. The current classrooms are overflowing and they are having classes in mud huts with dirt floors. They need a real building for accreditation. Give online at www.lovefortheleast.org. Put “Edwards Memorial” in memo section. Or, send checks to Christ Church Anglican, “Jim Edwards Memorial” on memo line (Christ Church Anglican, 5501 N. Midkiff Road, Midland, TX  79705).

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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