Thomas J Edwards

Thomas Joseph Edwards, 73 passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas after a short but courageous fight with an aggressive form of Leukemia. Tom's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Road, Benton, Louisiana at 2:00 p.m. with Father Pike Thomas officiating. Tom was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Robert and Florence Edwards on June 9, 1947. He was the youngest of five children. While attending a Cleveland Indian game, he wandered into an Art gallery looking for a cup of coffee, he found a lot more than coffee and fell in love with Jennifer. They were married on February 5, 2000. As his devoted soulmate, best friend and wife for nearly 21 years, Jennifer would say, "Tom is my gentle giant." Tom was an innovative entrepreneur. He founded the A.J. Weller Corporation in a Shreveport garage in 1982 and continually modeled the Weller Way, "Caring is Good Business" in both his business and personal relationships. A private man in many ways, he was nevertheless abundantly generous in his loyalty to friends and his unwavering support of employees who needed someone to believe in them, perhaps more than they believed in themselves. He was precisely that, to countless people over the years who were blessed by his unselfish spirit. Tom\'s influence on people cast a hugh shadow; his principles were simple yet elegant: think right, do right, be nice, don't gossip, help others succeed, make the customer a hero in every interaction, send handwritten thank-you notes to venders, sales people. The incredibly talented folks in the shop, have fun, don't be a negaholic, "never give up, stretch your perceived limits, grow, learn from your failures and teach the rest of us how to get better." And always remember that "Caring is Good Business." At its best life is a love relationship and the "heart power" is the brand by which A.J. Weller will be known. These 'Weller-Basics" were embedded in its culture from the beginning and formed the unshakeable foundation for the company to excel as a world leader in state -of-the-art premium wear materials. Tom's "simple " template for business success astounded his classmates at one of Harvard University's high level leadership programs for CEO's. He was a demanding and exacting in his expectations of his employees but was quick to celebrate, with his characteristic exuberance, their victory over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He created a "company of opportunity" for all who chose to find meaningful employment of mutual trust and respect. To many who knew him well, Tom was the classic Renaissance Man. He was a voracious reader, gourmet cook, teacher, student for life, architect, landscape designer, international traveler and motivator. He loved the exhilarating mystique of good friends, good food, good scotch and good conversation. Tom is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Patrick and sister, Mary Ann Bellian. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jennifer; sons, Michael Edwards and wife, Alma and Tim Edwards and wife, Katie; two sisters, Eileen Ditchman and Ginny Lovejoy; sister-in-law, Utta Edwards and four grandchildren, Cayden, Mary, Anna and Mina Edwards. Please practice social distancing, you can wave and throw a kiss until after Covid-19. The funeral will be streamed on You tube and Facebook. To locate, simply search on the site of your choice: "St. Jude Catholic Church, Benton, La."