James Duane Edwards, 61
James Duane Edwards of Dover, DE, passed away on December 15, 2023 at Bay Health, Kent General Hospital.
Jim was born on December 27, 1961, the son of Alice (Dolly) Durham Ingram and the late James T. Edwards. He was raised in Dover where he attended Edie Morris's Country Day School. Later, he became a 1980 graduate of Lake Forest High School. He had managed several health clubs and worked with his stepfather at Delaware Auto Sales. It was his stepfather, Vernon Ingram, who introduced Jim to the AMC automobiles. He owned and operated a sports memorabilia store where he offered customized hats and clothing. Jim was a car enthusiast and loved going to the Cecil County Dragway to watch NHRA races. If there was a car show within
100 miles, he'd be there. He enjoyed buying, rebuilding and selling muscle cars. He founded a website that appealed to hundreds of AMC fans.
During his younger years he especially enjoyed spending enumerable times on the farm of his grandparents, Dorothy and Anthony Durham. It was during these wonderful and memorable days that he was taught how to ride a motorcycle by his uncles, Tony and Allan Durham.
Jim became known as the "Pied Piper" of sandlot sports like baseball and football. Not one youngster was ever without a team on which to play. He was unfailingly kind, thoughtful and generous.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very young age. Jim's Bible had been read so many times that it became worn and tattered.
He had a special place in his heart for animals. He held cougars, mountain lions and pumas in the highest of esteem. Jim rescued many feral cats that went on to live long happy lives.
Along with his father, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Gloria Jean Edwards, and stepfather, Vernon Ingram.
Jim is survived by his mother, Dolly Ingram, of Dover, DE; sister, Jeannette T. Mercer and her husband, The Most Reverend Dr. Thomas W. Mercer of Dover, DE and a stepbrother, Jeffrey Ingram (Nancy) of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Bishop Mercer officiated at the funeral held privately in the Galena Funeral Home. A graveside committal service followed at the Crumpton Cemetery, MD.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.