Robert Christopher “Chris” Edson

September 5, 1957 - March 21, 2024

Our brother, Chris, suffered a fatal heart attack on March 21, 2024, in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas. Chris was born in 1957, a year that calls to mind stylish automobile designs, Sputnik, Elvis Presley’s Graceland and President Eisenhower’s 2nd term. It was also the year that the Edson family moved from Magnolia Avenue to Clinton Drive. Chris’s birth, marking the 6th child of Mamie and Ed Edson, Jr., jokingly earned a basketball trophy from family friend, Waldo Wilson, for completion of the boys’ team. Chris’s favorite sister, Missy Fisher, and the three surviving brothers, Richard, Johnny and Ed, have cherished memories of their baby brother. Chris was the apple of their eye and stood up well to their obligatory teasing.

Chris completed his primary education in Beaumont. He learned to hunt, fish, drive a car and he practiced the courtesy and grace of a well-bred southern boy. As required by some unwritten law, he fell through a tall tree and severely busted up his arm. When healed, Chris attended boarding school and achieved his degree in Arizona schools but returned to Texas to begin his life’s journey. He appreciated the importance of the advancing computer boom and learned the business from the actual construction and wiring of a motherboard to processing and sales. He began his own business and settled in Houston where he bought a fixer-upper in the Montrose neighborhood. Chris had a knack for carpentry, especially constructing sawhorses, which he built by the dozens.

Chris never married but given the chance to prove his mettle as a loving partner, he excelled. He seized the opportunity to be a stand-in father with passion and devotion, teaching two young men the values he learned as a boy. During that surrogacy, Chris was the ideal father figure, meeting, if not surpassing, his own upbringing.

Chris spent his summers at the legendary family beach house in Caplan on the Boliver Peninsula. It became his home and before Hurricane Ike blew it to smithereens, he enjoyed the solitude of a beach denizen. Chris soon built a new beach house on the same storied site. He loved fishing and playing golf with his buddies. When his mother fell ill, he was often at her bedside making sure she was happy and comfortable as her ending drew near. He jumped in and assisted in the family business and proudly helped out wherever it was needed. Several years back, Chris had his first coronary episode and with the help of Missy he bounced back. He didn’t survive the ambush in March, and we are lost without him.

As with the passing of our father, Edward Gilroy Edson, Jr., our mother, Mamie and our brother, Patrick, we wish to thank our extended family and dear friends for their heartfelt condolences. In his absence we, his survivors, hope to live our lives more mindful of the preciousness of family and of life from this moment on.

A celebration of life for Mr. Edson will be held at a later date. Arrangements were handled under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

 

 

Comments (15)

    Nancy Mariner Madore says:

    Dear Edson Family,
    I’m hoping you’ll see this late message of condolence and sincere sorrow of the untimely loss of Chris. I met him in Colorado as he was a friend of my childhood best friend at the Colorado School of Mines. Chris came to visit me later at our family summer home in Maine near Acadia. He was so happy to be DownEast on the ocean. Our nickname for Chris was the wild eyed Texan. I’ll keep him alive in my memories. Godspeed my friend

    Paula Young says:

    My heart is aching for the entire Edson family after the loss of their brother. Chris was my cohort in crime on more than one occasion and I will cherish my memories of him. My deepest sympathies to all those who knew and loved him.

    Joe Bordages says:

    Many good memories of Chris. He was the “Ubiquitous Chris” to me.

    Jimmie Jay Jackson says:

    I send healing thoughts and prayers to the Edson family.

    Robin McClintock says:

    So very sad to hear of Chris’s passing. The episodes of our youthful hijinx and misdemeanors are forever embedded in my memory and heart.

    John W. Edson says:

    Thank you! I would like to get in touch with you. Johnny Edson

    Robin D McClintock says:

    Send me an email John.

    Steven Shaw says:

    I am so sorry to hear of Chris’s passing.

    John W. Edson says:

    We appreciate your comments. I would like to contact you. Thanks, Johnny Edson

    Steven Shaw says:

    I am so sorry to hear of Chris’s passing.

    Karen Henry says:

    Precious Chris-I love the Edson family and cherish all the wonderful time spent with all of them.

    Love and Condolences

    Karen

    Kim Hopkins Mueller says:

    So sorry to hear this, thoughts and prayers to the Edson family.

    Gene McFaddin says:

    Sincere condolences to the Edson family for their loss.

    Robyn Byler Boone says:

    Condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

    Robyn Byler Boone says:

    So very sorry to hear this. He was so sweet to me always.

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