Judge Fred Edwards passes away at age 63

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Judge Frederick Eugene Edwards, a 6th generation Texan, was born on August 2, 1950 and died in The Woodlands, Texas on February 10, 2014 as a result of complications from a lengthy illness. Edwards proudly served Montgomery County, Texas as Judge of the 9th District Court for 20 years, until 2012. He presided over the general jurisdiction court which heard cases ranging from general civil and family law cases, to massive toxic tort litigation and capital murder cases involving the death penalty. But, Edwards was most well-known in the legal world for his taking on numerous complex litigation cases in his court. These cases range from class actions such as the notorious “phen-fen” drug litigation, to billion dollar merger and acquisition cases such as the one involving Huntsman, to the first case where cell phone technology was used to capture a wanted fugitive in the “Uncle Hilty” kidnapping and murder case. He was a frequent and sought-after speaker at national conferences on electronic courts, mass dockets, and handling multi-district litigation. Edwards also founded and avidly supported the Child Advocates Program in Montgomery County. Since leaving the judicial bench in 2013, Edwards has served as a special judge and popular mediator and arbitrator..

Without question, the loves of Judge Edwards’ life were his children, Joseph Edwards and wife Katherine, and daughters Elizabeth and Kathryn Edwards. He was so proud of them, and treasured every opportunity to watch each of them succeed in their own rights by achieving educational goals and growing into happy, successful adults. He was married to attorney Linda Thompson for 30 years, with whom he enjoyed an enduring friendship. Throughout his life he nurtured his passions of civil war history, old movies, funky music [especially all things Texas], his beloved State of Texas, and Houston Astros baseball. Edwards was infamous for his ability to tell entertaining war stories, and he enjoyed visiting historical Texas and American battle sites. He also played regularly with his poker group friends of 40 years.

Born in Cleveland, Texas, Judge Edwards graduated from Conroe High School in Conroe, Texas. His passion for politics and history perhaps began when he served Congressman John Dowdy in Washington, D. C. for one year during his high school years, and had the incredible fortune of being there as Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the Washington Mall. He furthered his education with a bachelor’s degree at East Texas State University, and a law degree from The University of Houston Law Center in 1974. He managed a thriving legal practice for 18 years.

In addition to his loving children, he leaves to mourn him his mother Joyce Edwards, brother Jimmie Edwards and wife Debbie and their children Rachel Edwards Threadgill and Sarah Edwards, his sisters Wanda Minshew and husband Morrie and their children Matthew Minshew and Meredith Brewer, and sister Elwanda Edwards. He is also survived by his cousins Debbie Gurley and Wayne Gurley and great nieces Shelby Threadgill and Jamie Threadgill. He was preceded in death by his father Jimmie Carl “J. C.” Edwards. Arrangements are pending with Metcalf Funeral Home in Conroe.

For more information about Judge Fred Edwards view link contained here within.

Photos