Bradley Craig “Bear” Edwards was born July 18, 1949, to Charles and Ethel Edwards in Woodland, Calif. Brad passed away at his home December 12, 2019.

He spent much of his youth in the Central Valley. As a child, he joined the Boy Scouts and rose to the level of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Willows High School in 1967 and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 in the army as a forward observer. He fathered two children, Nathan Vaughn and Chloe Mills. After serving his country, he worked in the lumber mills of Humboldt County and at Safeway, where he helped clean up after the earthquake in 1992.

Brad married his wife, Lori Edwards, in 1980 in Eureka. In the late ’70s, he graduated from College of the Redwoods and went on to pursue a degree in psychology at Humboldt State University. He found the money he would earn in the lumber mills would be worth more than his degree, so he stuck with that for his family. They spent many happy years in Eureka until moving to Mad River in 2001 with their daughter, Chloe. He was an avid outdoorsman, taking part in hunting pheasants in Willows, hunting deer and duck where he could, fishing and diving for abalone, even being recognized for bringing in the largest abalone of the year once.

Brad suffered a myriad of issues after returning from Vietnam, and was declared disabled by the VA in 1995. He spoke proudly of his time served and was always watching specials on the History Channel regarding the military, wars, and of course Shark Week. During summers, he would spend time at the Eel River in Myers Flat with family, at Ruth Lake and Freshwater Lagoon fishing, and helping to maintain the house. He loved his family and close friends. Due to medical issues, he was frequently out of the home receiving treatment during the ’90s and ’00s.

Brad is survived by his wife, Lori, his children Nathan and Chloe, grandchildren Bastille, Silas, Phoenix, William, Alice, and Peter, his sister Suzan, brother Chuck, nieces Kristi and Katie, and many family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles, mother, Ethel, brother Timmy, grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

Brad will be interred at Northern California Veteran’s Cemetery on January 31 at 2 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting making donations to an organization that helps support veterans and their families, such as Wounded Warrior Project.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Brad Edwards’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.