Senior Airman Justin Blair Edwards, 23

Senior Airman Justin Blair Edwards of Lincoln, Del. passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 20, 2012, in Volusia County, Fla.

Born July 25, 1988, Edwards was known as an accomplished young man who was serving as a senior airman in the United States Air Force Reserves and was a member of the Bethel Worship Center in Laurel, Del. He graduated from Laurel High School in 2007 and was affectionately remembered for his role as “Denny” in the first production of “Grease” there in 30 years. He was known to excel in everything he did, as a soloist in the Concert Choir on Tour and an accomplished “self-taught” guitarist, singer and instrumentalist.

Edwards joined the USAFR in 2010 with his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He received several commendations but was most proud of the Commander in Chief’s Challenge Coin awarded to him by President Barack Obama, having been chosen as one of the airmen given the honor of preparing the hanger to receive fallen troops at Dover Air Base in a ceremony with the president.

Edwards is survived by his parents, Timothy L. Edwards and Susan L. Kirby; his paternal grandparents, his grandfather Mike Edwards and his wife, Joan, and his grandmother, June E. Grove; his sister, Lindsay Danee Edwards, formerly of Salisbury, Md., and now of Newport News, Va., and her fiancé, Bobby Ritchie; a nephew, Graham Jameson Ritchie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Edwards’ life was scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at Bethel Worship Center, 22648 Sussex Highway, in Seaford, Del., where friends may call beginning at 9 a.m. The Rev. Joseph Lecates will officiate in a service featuring military honors conducted by USAFR Unit 512. Interment will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery near Dagsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial contributions to Delmarva Teen Challenge; 611 3rd and North St.; Seaford, DE 19973