Deral Lawton Edwards passed on to his heavenly home on February 13, 2022, with family by his side.
Born in Lawn, Texas on November 18, 1930, to Jessel and Mary Edwards, Deral was one of three sons.
He is survived by his children; Dayne Edwards and wife, Sherri, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Deron Edwards and wife, Julie, of Bangs, Texas; sister in law, Sue Edwards of Abilene, Texas; grandchildren; Jaysen Edwards of Rowlett, Texas; Brian Edwards of Rowlett, Texas; Trey Tijerina and Emily Rozelle of Anna, Texas; Ashley Edwards and Ron Lee of Bastrop, Texas; Cheyenne Hoskinson and husband, Justin, of Bangs, Texas; Kodi Edwards and Tanner Collett of Abilene, Texas and Evan Johnson of Frisco, Texas; and five great grandchildren; Rhett, Ryker and Riley Hoskinson of Bangs, Texas; Aurora Tijerina of Anna, Texas; and Everett Edwards of Rowlett, Texas. He is also survived by a very special friend, Wilma Gray, of Brownwood, Texas.
Deral is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Gerald Edwards and J.L. Edwards, and long-time companion, Ann Ray.
After graduating from Lawn High School, Deral proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Korean War, he attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his military service, he briefly worked in the oil field then began studying at Cisco Junior College. He went on to obtain his Master of Education from Hardin-Simmons University, in Abilene, Texas.
In 1959, Deral began his 30-year career, serving his community and the youth of Bangs, Texas when he became a teacher with the Bangs Independent School District. His dedication to the youth of BISD led him to become involved in coaching multiple sports. Later, he became high school principal while maintaining his duties as varsity boys’ basketball coach, driver’s education instructor and emergency bus driver. He spent the last five years of his career as Superintendent of BISD.
Deral impacted the lives of thousands of students in his 30 years at BISD which was apparent by the respect and admiration shown to him by his former students. No matter where he travelled, he was always recognized by former students, and fellow coaches and educators from all over the state.
Upon his retirement from BISD in 1989, Deral embarked on a new set of adventures, travelling across the country in his RV to places like Las Vegas, where he was an avid spectator of the Professional Bull Riding finals and the National Finals Rodeo; Canada and the western United States. He went on to raise Quarter Horses and Paint Horses for many years and was recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association for being a long-time breeder of Quarter Horses.
Deral was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Bangs, Texas. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 308, in Bangs, Texas and a lifelong supporter of the Bangs Dragons.
He was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. Some of his most cherished times were those spent with family. He travelled countless hours to be involved in the various activities of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home, in Brownwood, Texas, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Bangs High School Auditorium, at 2:00 pm followed by internment at Bangs Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (www.rmhc.org) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).