Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service 7626 Highway 213 Mars Hill, NC 28754 Phone: (828) 680-9963 Fax: (828) 680-9965 Email: brfs@blueridgefuneralservice.org
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Obituary for Jason David Edwards
Jason David Edwards of New York City, NY, passed away in his sleep early on Tuesday morning, November 15, 2016, in Vero Beach, Florida, after a day he described as one of the happiest of his life. Born on April 28,1954 in Hendersonville, NC, Jason was the son of Dawn and Irene Edwards of Weaverville, NC, and the grandson of Dillard and Bessie Edwards of Mars Hill, and Frank and Clemmie Runnion of Marshall. He graduated from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, and attended Belmont University in Nashville, and Mars Hill College.
An accomplished guitarist, singer, actor, and director, Jason’s theatrical credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and television. As guest director, his work was seen in theaters across the country, with record-breaking success. On Broadway, he starred as Johnny Cash in Ring of Fire, and is featured on the original cast album. He was Assistant Director to writer Richard Maltby, Jr., and co-adapter with Mr. Maltby of a revised edition of Ring of Fire which added more of Johnny Cash’s music to better tell the story of this American legend. He toured nationally and directed Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Will Rogers Follies with Larry Gatlin, and Man of La Mancha with John Raitt. Off-Broadway credits include Of Mice and Men, Johnny Guitar, Honky Tonk Angel, and Cowboy. On television, he was seen on NBC’s TODAY show, Country Music Television, and MTV. For his acting, he was given numerous awards and nominations.
Jason will forever be remembered for his devotion to his family, and for his deep and sustaining faith. He was proud of his North Carolina mountain roots and insisted on authenticity when portraying or directing southern characters. He was a fiercely loyal friend, and a champion of animals and underdogs. His passion for fishing and his love of baseball were legendary. Friends and colleagues have repeatedly described him as genuine, kind, compassionate, spiritual, honest, generous to a fault, fun, funny, encouraging, tenderhearted, and supremely gifted, a man whose energy brought joy to thousands from the stage, and to each person he met, no matter his or her station in life.
Jason is survived by his beloved parents, Dawn and Irene Edwards, of Weaverville; one son, Michael Dawn Edwards and wife Stephanie of Cary, NC, two sisters: Linda Edwards Campbell and husband Jette of Charlotte, NC, and Carol Ann Edwards Nasser and husband Stephen of Chicago, IL; one granddaughter, Isabelle Renee; nephews Coleman David Campbell and Chase Edward Nasser, and hundreds of cherished friends and colleagues.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 21 from 5-7 pm; funeral services will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at 11 am, both at Weaverville First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Old Bull Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mars Hill.
For those wishing to make memorial gifts, please consider the Riverside Theatre Endowment Fund which has been set up by the theatre in Jason’s name, 772-410-0481. Gifts might also be made in his memory to Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.
Condolences may be offered online at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org
An accomplished guitarist, singer, actor, and director, Jason’s theatrical credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and television. As guest director, his work was seen in theaters across the country, with record-breaking success. On Broadway, he starred as Johnny Cash in Ring of Fire, and is featured on the original cast album. He was Assistant Director to writer Richard Maltby, Jr., and co-adapter with Mr. Maltby of a revised edition of Ring of Fire which added more of Johnny Cash’s music to better tell the story of this American legend. He toured nationally and directed Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Will Rogers Follies with Larry Gatlin, and Man of La Mancha with John Raitt. Off-Broadway credits include Of Mice and Men, Johnny Guitar, Honky Tonk Angel, and Cowboy. On television, he was seen on NBC’s TODAY show, Country Music Television, and MTV. For his acting, he was given numerous awards and nominations.
Jason will forever be remembered for his devotion to his family, and for his deep and sustaining faith. He was proud of his North Carolina mountain roots and insisted on authenticity when portraying or directing southern characters. He was a fiercely loyal friend, and a champion of animals and underdogs. His passion for fishing and his love of baseball were legendary. Friends and colleagues have repeatedly described him as genuine, kind, compassionate, spiritual, honest, generous to a fault, fun, funny, encouraging, tenderhearted, and supremely gifted, a man whose energy brought joy to thousands from the stage, and to each person he met, no matter his or her station in life.
Jason is survived by his beloved parents, Dawn and Irene Edwards, of Weaverville; one son, Michael Dawn Edwards and wife Stephanie of Cary, NC, two sisters: Linda Edwards Campbell and husband Jette of Charlotte, NC, and Carol Ann Edwards Nasser and husband Stephen of Chicago, IL; one granddaughter, Isabelle Renee; nephews Coleman David Campbell and Chase Edward Nasser, and hundreds of cherished friends and colleagues.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 21 from 5-7 pm; funeral services will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at 11 am, both at Weaverville First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Old Bull Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mars Hill.
For those wishing to make memorial gifts, please consider the Riverside Theatre Endowment Fund which has been set up by the theatre in Jason’s name, 772-410-0481. Gifts might also be made in his memory to Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.
Condolences may be offered online at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org
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