Stephen John Edwards

EDWARDS, Stephen John – age 76, of Fenton, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, MI 48430, with Rev. Kate Zywicki officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Linden. Visitation will be held from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Sunday, and from 10-11 AM on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America. https://vva.org. Steve was born on May 3, 1948, in Flint, the son of Donald and Jennie (Gortner) Edwards. He was a graduate of Lake Fenton High School, class of 1966, and soon after graduation opted to volunteer for military service over being drafted. Stephen married Johanne Dach on June 16, 1973, and they enjoyed 51 years of marriage. He was a proud and highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War as a Staff Sergeant and a member of RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer). The skills he acquired in the Air Force led to a successful career in residential construction and land development in the greater Genesee County area. He owned and operated Oak Ridge Builders and Steve Edwards, Inc., and expertly built over 500 premium homes. He served on the Grand Blanc Township Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, was twice the President of the Home Builders Association of Metro Flint, and was very active in the communities where he lived and served. Stephen was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed horses, tractors, and hot rods, but his favorite was spending time with his wife and family that he cherished. He is survived by his wife, Johanne; two daughters, Nicole Edwards and her husband Chris Rankin, and Natalie and her husband Adam Hess; five grandchildren, Stephen, Jameson, Alia, Theodore, and Sylvan; and his sister, Mary Jo Stilson. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Jennie Edwards, and three infant children, Aaron, Dawn, and Lydia. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com