David S. Edwards

David Stuart Edwards of Honesdale died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Wayne Memorial Hospital on January 2 after a courageous decades-long battle with illness. He was 85.

The son of the late Winfield and Jane Spangenberg Edwards, Lake Ariel, David is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara. The couple were married 57 years.

David was a graduate of Lake Consolidated High School where he was an honor student, star baseball player, gifted singer and President of his class. He earned a scholarship to Penn State University, but had to withdraw after Crohn’s first reared its ugly head. David eventually returned to school and earned his Bachelor’s degree at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. He then obtained his Master’s at the University of Scranton.

David proudly served in the Pennsylvania National Guard, but had to accept a medical discharge due to his illness.

David was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, playing amateur baseball in the Pocono Mountain League, Wayne County League and Scranton Association. He played for teams based in Lake Ariel, Hamlin, Maple Lake and Mount Cobb, twirling three no-hitters all of which were caught by his younger brother Neil.

David began his long and memorable teaching career at Parkland High School. He was quickly recruited by local legend Pat “Red” Walsh to return home as a teacher and coach at Waymart High School.

He arrived at Wayne Highlands in the Fall of 1964 where he spent the next 30 years teaching and coaching baseball. David received the Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1965. Meanwhile, his Hornet teams won back-to-back Wayne County League titles and twice advanced to the District 12 championship game. He also served as a volunteer coach for the Murray Company Giants and Honesdale Eagles.

For his lifetime of achievements as a player and coach, David was elected to the Wayne Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

David retired in 1993. He spent the next three decades traveling the country with Barbara. They especially enjoyed spending the summers at Keen Lake and winters in Kissimmee and Punta Gorda.

“Papa” loved being a Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. He was an avid reader and amateur Civil War scholar whose store of knowledge was encyclopedic. He also loved beagles, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, playing golf, rooting for the Phillies and Penn State.

In addition to Barbara, David is survived by his three sons: Kevin and girlfriend Teri; Patrick and wife Lindsay; and Sean. He has three grandchildren: Alec and fiancé Natalie; Scout and husband Ronnie; and Max. Also four great grandchildren: Kaiser, Charlie, Danika and Ayla.

David was predeceased by brothers Wayne and Neil, and sister Shirley. He is also survived by brother Darrell and sister Dianne, nieces and nephews.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no memorial service or viewing. David was cremated and his remains will be interred in the Edwards Family Cemetery at the farm in Lake Ariel. A private ceremony will be held this Spring for the family.

Anyone who’d like to honor David’s memory is encouraged to make a donation in his name to either the Wayne County Public Library or the Honesdale High School baseball team.