Ed was one of seven children and was the next to youngest child. His mother died when he was in seventh grade, which came as quite a shock to him. He did not know his mother was in ill health, and he was sent home from school one day to be informed of her passing. It seemed from this time on, Ed's oldest sister became the matriarch of the family, starting up a restaurant in Springfield and all the siblings were expected to chip in order to make it successful. The restaurant sustained the family as they united together to finish their high school years. At 18, Ed and a brother moved from Springfield to Washington, DC taking jobs with the federal government by day and going to college by night. Ed stayed with the government and when the Pentagon opened in 1942, Ed Dunnaway drew one of the first offices assigned. He worked in the Pentagon for 40 years, during which time he also was an Air Force reservist attaining the rank of colonel. His work at the Pentagon was quite successful; he oversaw some 700 employees at the time of his retirement. During his work career, Ed took the financial responsibility for putting his sisters through some type of higher education, and he remained very close and dedicated to his siblings during this time. Interestingly, Ed and his remaining sisters all retired at the same time, all returning to Springfield and jointly purchased a huge house and grounds in the SW part of Springfield. It was during this time when Ed and his sisters began coming to St. Paul United Methodist Church. They were faithful members, and Ed served on a number of church committees and was a dedicated worker for the Lord. Ed and his sisters were extremely dedicated to one another. As the sisters' age lessened their ability to drive, Ed assumed the role of chauffer for everyone. One passion Ed discovered after retiring was gardening of all kinds, but he was best known all over Springfield for his roses. He was featured in a Springfield News-Leader article for his prowess with roses. People came from all over this part of Missouri to catch a glimpse of Ed's rose gardens at his home. As his sisters aged and became confined to a nursing home, Ed spent hours each day with them and planting his lovely rose bushes all around the nursing home grounds for them and others to enjoy. If one were to search for a single word to describe Ed Dunaway, I expect that word would be dedicated. Ed was dedicated to his siblings, dedicated to his work at the Pentagon, dedicated to caring for his siblings as they aged, dedicated to working for the Lord at St. Paul, and dedicated to his gardening. Ed lived a life that characterized all of the different things Jesus told us were important-especially caring for others and faith in God. He was a good person and a true disciple of his Lord Jesus, and I truly believe he's already heard his Savior say to him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Now Ed no longer suffers from any physical or mental ailment. He feels no pain or discomfort of any kind, and his mind is as sharp as it was when he was a youth. He doesn't have to be concerned about any type of physical limitations any more. We need to remember that Ed has already looked into the face of his Savior Jesus Christ, in whose hands he now rests.