Stephen John Edwards, 67
This amazing, brilliant, kind and gentle man was so much more than these words could possibly convey. Stephen John Edwards, 67, died in Kalispell on Jan. 11, 2021, after fighting a noble battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Born May 11, 1953, in Worland, Wyoming, he grew up on his family’s farm and graduated from Worland Senior High School in 1971. During high school he was one of the few students chosen as part of a National Pilot Program to drive the Washakie County school bus. He possessed a rare drive and ambition then and walked out that same passion the entire span of his life. He moved to Casper, Wyoming, after high school and roughnecked in the oil patch for several years. He then added to his skill set and became an entry level welder on night shift at Wotco, quickly mastering the craft, becoming lead foreman within a year, where projects included the manufacturing of 150-ton coal haulers. He was a born leader, a natural mentor and teacher. Threaded with an incredible work ethic, he championed whatever needed building or fixing.
As a youth he developed a passion for the outdoors; camping, hunting and fishing in his home states. He then ferried his love for both fishing and hunting into the wilds of a myriad of states and countries as an adult and shared this love with his family and dear friends Rex, Dave, Scott, Cork and Kevin.
Known also as Big Ed or just “Ed,” Sted to some, he could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. In July of 1977 he partnered up with childhood friend Rex Shepperd. The two of them masterminded and built a piece of oil field equipment still used today that greatly simplified the raising and lowering of drill pipe and casing to and from the drilling rig platform. Thus began the forging of a life long partnership where they incorporated their raw talent into the eventual development of multiple oil field service companies scattered throughout Wyoming, North Dakota, Texas, California, even Hawaii.
Finding love in the midst of the oil boom he married Kathryn Backus, (then from Colorado). They were married in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Aug. 2, 1979. Both their children, Chelsea Day and David Dylan, were born in Wyoming. The family moved to Montana in 1984, choosing to raise the kids on a farm in the Lower Valley of the Flathead as opposed to the oil field or city. They recently celebrated 41 years of marriage. In 2006 they remodeled a home on the west shore of Flathead Lake and moved there full time. The lake was his happy place, spending hours filling his soul with time on or near the water with loved ones. He continued to commute alternate months to Houston for business but always yearned to get home.
He loved well, was quick to forgive, solution driven and showed so much grace to everyone in his multiple circles. His love and devotion for God and his family ran deep. He excelled at planning outings and field trips, road and off-road trips, fire pit barbecues, dump runs (which included the rescue of orphaned pieces of equipment), tomahawk throwing, gun shooting, slingshot mischief, potato gun madness and just plain cuddle time. Papaw led by example and was the best heritage his beloved grandchildren could possess. He was a role model, a best friend. He would do anything to make the world a better, safer and more fun-filled life for his children and grandchildren. He was chock-full of knowledge and was always there for advice, a calm shoulder, an open ear or lap time.
Although Ed’s (Steve’s) health had declined severely in the past two years, he demonstrated such courage and hope and reminded us all of the preciousness of life and the importance of our relationship with our Creator. His life on earth seemed too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that his quality of existence far exceeded the quantity of time in which he walked the earth. The double edge sword of time takes us one day away from him while at the same time drawing us closer to the day we see him again. We are all hurting with that hope.
He had become a collector of things, of people, of memories and a builder of family traditions.
He is survived by his wife Kathryn, their daughter Chelsea and son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Lane, Noah, Caleb, Izzy, Lucy and Halle, their son David and daughter-in-law Frances, and newborn grandson Ryker, his sister Debbie and her husband Doug Rhoades. He loved all his nieces and nephews, Zane, Riley, Derek, Stephen, Sadie and Adam.
Steve died 17 years sober, and believed strongly in the power and mission of the 12-Step programs. If you’re so inclined to make any sort of a donation, in lieu of flowers please support our local Alano Club of Kalispell, P.O. Box 9762, Kalispell, MT 59904.