Roy Edelman

Roy Gene Edelman, born October 11, 1946, in Kanawha County, West Virginia, died April 19, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence Conrad Edelman and Nellie Marie Christy Edelman; brothers Conrad, Donald, and James; and daughter Terrie Lynn Edelman Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Jane Reinhold Edelman and sons Jeffrey, David, and Eric, and a sister, Ethel Nadine Edelman Toney, several grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Roy and Jane met at 15, and married two years later, shortly after graduating from high school. Roy’s accomplishments in physics, culminating in the production of rockets that broke the sound barrier and traveled more than a mile in altitude, led to the US Navy recruiting him to work in Missiles and Nuclear Weapons. From 1964 to 1970, Roy served on the USS Albany in the Mediterranean, the USS America in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War, and in Research and Development at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Injuries received in the military finally forced his military medical discharge in 1970. After his discharge from the Navy, he was employed as an electronics quality assurance technician for Rockwell International testing ICBM guidance modules. In 1973 Roy, along with his wife, accepted the call to ministry as a Salvation Army officer, serving in multiple appointments throughout the South for 25 years. He served as Commanding Officer (pastor and administrator) of the Atlanta West End Corps (church) and the Welch, West Virginia Corps. Subsequent appointments included Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where he was responsible for initial development of programming and installation of computer systems and employee training for the Adult Rehabilitation Centers in the thirteen southern states. In cooperation with Major John Merritt, he completed development and construction of The Salvation Army Southern Historical Center and Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Final appointments were in Divisional Finance before medical retirement in 2001. Roy’s greatest concern in later years was that he might not have been active and diligent enough in his faith to have made a lasting and worthwhile impact on others. The outpouring of love, respect, appreciation, and anticipation of someday joining him in eternity are proof that his concerns were unjustified. Following retirement, Roy’s ministry continued unabated as he became a trusted and beloved friend and counselor to many by telephone and computer. Always on call, he could be found giving counsel and encouragement at any time of day or night. Roy Edelman was a good and Godly man, a husband whose wife could live every day in gratitude at having been loved by him, a father whose sons could proudly aspire to be like him, a pastor and counselor whose flock could trust him to shepherd them with love and integrity, and a friend whose love and loyalty would never wane nor waver. He has gone to his true and eternal home, where he rests in the arms of God as he awaits the reunion all of us who remain here so desire. The family will have a private service in Surprise, Arizona, their home since 2016. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be directed to The Salvation Army Child Sponsorship Program.