Allen Arthur Edwards

Allen Arthur Edwards, 74, of Vero Beach, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Clare Bridge Memory Care Unit in Vero Beach.

Mr. Edwards was born October 2, 1938 in Bayonne, NJ. He had been a resident of Vero Beach since 1961, coming from Lakeland.

He graduated from Lakeland High School in 1957. He earned his Bachelors degree in Business from Florida Southern College in 1962. Later he attended the University of South Florida for credit hours in accounting.

Mr. Edwards was one of the founding partners of Edwards, Curtis & Ward, Certified Public Accountants in Vero Beach.

He served as Treasurer, lay reader and vestry board member at Trinity Episcopal Church.

In 1987 he was the campaign sub-chairman of the United Way's professional division, the Blood Bank of Indian River County, and was a past director. Also, he was a past director of the National Blood Bank Organization. He was a proud donor of 24 gallons to this life saving organization.

Mr. Edwards served as Treasurer and board member for five years of both the Center of the Arts (now the Vero Beach Museum of Art) and the Environmental Learning Center during the building of these facilities, was a past foundation board member, and was a present member of the Society of Environmental Education.

He was a current member of the McKee Botanical Gardens, the Indian River County Land Trust, and the Indian River State College Lifelong Learning Institute.

He was on the City of Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Commission for six years, and served on the Seagrass commission.

Mr. Edwards was the past president of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the FICPA, served on the board of the First American Bank, and was past president of the Estate Planning Council of the Treasure Coast, and a charter member of the Treasure Coast Kiwanis Club.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Joan (Smith) Edwards; brothers, Bruce Edwards of Vero Beach and Robin Edwards of Lakeland; five nieces; one nephew; seven great-nieces and nephews and one great-great nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry Hartley Edwards and Mildred Leary Edwards; and by his sister, Carol Cervenka.

A service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, on 6th Avenue, Vero Beach with Rev. Jack Diehl III officiating. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Environmental Learning Center at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.