SFC George "Duke" Edmondson

Sergeant First Class, George Alfred “Duke” Edmondson was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on January 17, 1953, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was an avid sports fan, particularly football, and he was well known as the star quarterback in high school. He played at Texas Tech for one year before joining the United States Army at the young age of 17.

He went on to have a stellar twenty-three-year military career as a Military Recruiter. Also known as having “the gift of gab.” After retiring from the military service, he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, with an emphasis in Computer Network Administration. Duke worked as an ITT specialist at Fort Sam Houston, serving 13 years of service.

Duke met and married the love of his life, Evelyn M. Clay, and the two shared a union of 46 beautiful years, raising their only daughter, Kristy together.

Duke was not a man of many words. He preferred to listen and observe his surroundings, but when he spoke, his wisdom and knowledge left one in awe-struck. He also had a wicked, dry sense of humor; telling people on the Las Vegas strip he was Tony Dorsett from his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. However, in the end, the San Francisco 49’ers were who he rocked with to the end.

Duke was a complicated man. He was dignified, intelligent, earnest, sharp-eyed, and hard to read. He could be extremely difficult to get close to, but if you found a place in his heart there was nothing, he would not do for you. He preferred the best that life had to offer, and wanted those around him to have the best. He encouraged others to always strive to also be their best. Duke was a fighter, and a go-getter. He always acquired what he set out to obtain. He fought his last journey with the same dignity he carried through life, never admitting how bad he truly felt. He is now resting in the peace he fought so hard to find in life.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Lyons.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn Edmondson; only daughter: Kristy M. Edmondson; his brothers: Jack Bend and Greg Lyons; his sisters: Clementine Bunch, Sandra Lyons, Shirley Lyons, and Shannon Lyons, nieces, nephews, and a host of other close relatives and friends.