Obituary of Edward House

It is with great sadness that the family of
Edward Everett House announces his peaceful passing on December 22, 2019.

 

Edward was born in Oak Ridge, TN on January 12, 1957 and passed away in Charleston, SC on December 22, 2019 at the age of 62.

A child of a military family, Edward spent his early childhood in Mobile, AL.  The family was transferred to Warner Robins, GA where he attended middle and high school. 

Edward had a great love of travel and adventure, joining the United States Navy in 1974 at the young age of 17.  During his first overseas assignment, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Keflavik, a U. S. Navy base in Keflavik International Airport, Iceland.  His next assignment was Rota Naval Air Station near the town of Cadiz, Spain.  During this assignment, he served as a Cryptologic Technician and completed his active duty with the Navy.  Edward was a member of the United States Navy Reserve until 1980. 

Continuing his travel adventures, Edward joined the United States Department of State as a Communications Officer.   The new position allowed him not only to continue to serve his country, but to continue his travel and exploration across the globe.  While serving the Department of State, Edward was stationed in Istanbul, Turkey and Calcutta, India.  He enjoyed meeting people and diplomats from all over the world and was especially proud to have met and briefly worked with Mother Teresa while in Calcutta. 

After retiring from the Department of State in the mid 1980’s, Edward enjoyed some time off to travel within the United States and spend time with family and friends.  It was during this time that most of us got a chance to discover Edward’s skills with grilling a mean steak or shrimp on the barbie!  He was famous for his bruschetta; he loved growing his own herbs and cooking up a feast for anyone who may drop in.

Following a few years of enjoying retirement, Edward moved to the western North Carolina mountains where he was employed in the I.T. department at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC.  The bug to travel bit him again and he moved to Ashville, NC.  He attended the University of North Carolina at Ashville, earning his bachelor’s degree in Long Distance Education.  After he received his degree in Ashville, Edward had an itch for even more adventure and moved to Australia where he earned his master’s degree in Sustainable Development from The University of Canberra. 

Returning to the United States, Edward settled in Charleston, South Carolina in the early 2000’s where he continued his involvement with all things related to sailing and his love of the sea.  He held a Master’s/Merchant Mariner License issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Edward started a relatively short career of crewing on sailboat deliveries to foreign countries.   Two of these trips ended with Edward and crew being plucked from the Atlantic Ocean by his friends at the U.S. Coast Guard.  He was quite proud of the fact that he escaped a sinking ship twice; telling friends he was like a cat with nine lives.   

In his later years, Edward enjoyed the South Carolina low country, perfecting his entertaining and touring skills.  He obtained his chauffer license in addition to operating an Airbnb.  Being involved in hospitality related businesses enabled Edward to connect with people from all over the world; many of whom had been to the same far off places he had visited or lived.  Edward loved such a variety of activities.  He was an enthusiastic hiker, starting with the Appalachian Trail when he was only about ten years old.  He loved anything having to do with the water and spent many hours paddling the Nantahala Gorge and other rivers.   He was truly and adventurer and he will be greatly missed by those of us who knew him. 

Edward is predeceased by his parents Everette and Florence House of Warner Robins, Georgia.  He is survived by three brothers and three sisters; Michael House of Richmond, VA, Patrick House ( Suzanne) of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Thomas House (Corazon) of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Kathleen House of Ashville, North Carolina, Margaret McKenzie of Jasper, Georgia and Bernadette Bignon (Mike) of Portland, Oregon.   Also survived by five nephews and four nieces. 

A celebration of Edward’s life will be held in Charleston, South Carolina at a date to be determined in 2020.   With such a large family, it is difficult to coordinate schedules.  Details to be posted as soon as possible.

 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Edward House, please visit our Tree Store