Edgar Swain

It is with somber heart strings that we bid an Ashokan Farewell to our very own music man, EDGAR SWAIN, who left this life's stage on February 4, 2022. Born on June 6, 1931, in Commerce, Ga., to Annie and Walter Swain, Ed spent endless country days running with beloved pets, BoBo and Jake, and turned those childhood adventures into bedtime stories that thrilled his four children. His life changed forever when he met a fiery English rose named Rosina on a blind date and married her in 1956. She stood to greet him with open arms when he returned to her triumphant in the presence of our Lord. Also preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, Jay, Walter JR, and Fred; and two baby sisters, who died in infancy. Two surviving brothers: Joe (Caroline) and Arthur, still live in his home state of Georgia. Heartbroken but held up by a fatherly love like no other are his children, Karen (Barry), Stephen (Carol), Paula (Michael), and Julie (Chad). None of us have ever known a better man, and his influence of goodness extended to his grandchildren Nicholas, Andrew, Jennifer, Holly, Paula, Sullivan, and Josie, and his great-grandchildren, Hayden and Natalie. How he loved the three generations of his family! He also loved music—playing guitar, fiddle, banjo, and even mandolin, and he shared his gift freely with his family and with countless friends, especially those at the Holy Souls senior group. He even parlayed his love of music into a hobby of building violins, the instrument he loved to "fiddle" with the most, making hand-crafted instruments for each of his four children that now embody precious memories of his love. Professionally, Ed spent twenty years in the United States Air Force as a medical technician before embarking on a career in optometry, eventually owning his own business, where he dispensed glasses and good will to many. After retirement, he and his wife Rosina (Rene as he called her) bought an RV and traveled the country, visiting dear friends from Florida to Michigan. Ed pursued his passions full time from his retirement at 65 until the day he died, including bluebird watching and box building, playing golf with his son and grandson, and making music. A quote from Ray Charles that he saved on his phone perhaps says it best: "Music is like breathing—I don't get tired of breathing, I don't get tired of music." We hope that you have an up-close view of all the bluebirds in the sky as you strum along in the key of G to a choir of angels. Hit it, Pop. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, Music Unites (musicunites.org), or the Holy Souls seniors group. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Souls Church, 1003 N Tyler Street, Little Rock, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, followed by a burial with military honors at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. To leave online condolences for the family please visit: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.