Edward Lynn Peart
October 16, 1937 ~ August 6, 2022
Born in:
Salt Lake City, UT
Resided in:
Marshall, NC
Edward Lynn Peart was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 16, 1937. He was the oldest of seven siblings. His family moved many times during his youth including homes in Salt Lake City, Orem, Blackfoot, Mesa, West Yellowstone, and Las Vegas.
Eddie graduated from high school in Las Vegas and was awarded an appointment to the Air Force Academy by Nevada state senator Howard Cannon. Ed was the first person from Nevada to be appointed. Due to some health challenges he was dismissed as a candidate to fly and would instead serve eight years in the Army Reserve. Ed served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Denver area and then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Ed graduated from BYU with his BA in Mechanical Engineering. While attending BYU he met his sweetheart Laurel Jeanne Bates and they were married on June 23, 1962 in the St George Temple. Ed took his first engineering job at John Deere and Company in their Research and Development Department in Moline, Illinois; working there from 1965-1969. He was then recruited by Taylor Instruments and moved his growing family to Arden, North Carolina. Ed worked at Taylor for 15 years and retired from Welch Allyn after another 15 years of work. Ed and Laurel Jeanne served a couples mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints working in the Bishop’s Storehouse from 2005-2007. After his mission, Ed moved to his Christmas tree farm in Madison County, NC, and lived there until his death.
Arden, North Carolina would be home to Ed, Laurel Jeanne, and his nine children. Living in the beautiful Smokey Mountains, Ed was incredibly busy but worked with gusto as was the pattern of his life. He would spend ten years first designing and then building a spherical home to accommodate his large family. He would also repurpose a city bus to include beds/cots, a bathroom, and a kitchen area so that he could take his children on vacations back west to visit extended family. Ed would serve tirelessly as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held a variety of callings – serving as a member of the stake presidency, Bishop of the Asheville Ward, High Councilman, Branch President, Gospel Essentials teacher, primary teacher, and many others. He particularly enjoyed his time as a member of the Seventies focusing on missionary work. Ed was always integrally involved with church activities. The family fondly remembers the time he constructed a 20 ft tall snowman made of chicken wire and stuffed it with napkins for a stake dance. Ed would also welcome four different teens into his home and become their dad, providing for them like one of his own. With a keen mind and an affinity for teaching, Ed found joy in working through the schools as an Odyssey of the Mind Coach for nearly 20 years. He loved working with his own children as part of the program and taking them to compete in regional, state and world competitions with their balsa wood structures.
Ed was a modern day inventor and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build. His work ethic was unmatched and so it came as no surprise when living in the little home at the tree farm, he decided to dig out a basement by hand with his shovel. He was in his 70s at that time. The number of projects he completed for his childrens’ homes and families are too numerous to count: elaborate tree houses, remodeled kitchens, fences, walls, plumbing, electrical work, garden boxes, murphy bed…whatever needed doing. Everyone knew that grandpa was happiest when he had a project to tackle. The giant swing he constructed using telephone poles out over the big hill at the round house has thrilled every grandchild and adult alike through the years.
To know Ed was to love him. His siblings thought a kinder and more caring older brother would be hard to find. A favorite memory while living in Blackfoot was Eddie arranging three younger siblings on his bicycle and standing to peddle them around town. Ed lived a life of service demonstrating his love in action. In truth he was a genius, yet had the rare quality of humility and kindness that kept him from the fanfare or spotlight.
Ed lived well and he died well. At the hospital, family members were informed that after a patient becomes too ill to eat or drink, death usually occurs within three days. Characteristic of his strength and stamina, Ed took his last breath 10 days later. We know he was greeted with a joyous reunion in Heaven by his parents and his baby sister Angela who died in infancy.
Perhaps Ed’s life is best summed up by one of the hymns sung at his beloved church: “The world has need of willing men who wear the worker’s seal. Come help the good work move along, put your shoulder to the wheel. Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along. Do your duty with a heart full of song. We all have work; let no one shirk put your shoulder to the wheel.” -Will L. Thompson
Ed is survived by his wife Laurel Jeanne, his siblings Susan (George), John (Lan), Joe (Kristine), Gerry (Rose), and Lori (James). His children Melissa (Dallen), Ben (Julie), David (Lisa), Aaron (Debbie), Michelle (Michael), Jacob (Tammy), Danielle (Andy), Jonathan (Rachel), Joseph (Mindy), Judy (Bill), Vicki (Ahmed), Gene (Tonya), Steve (Michelle), and 56 grandchildren. He is predeceased by three grandchildren.
A Funeral Service to honor Ed will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 13 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arden (3401 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden NC, 28704) and burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville. The Peart family will greet friends at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30 until the service begins at 11:00.
Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.
Services
Funeral Service: August 13, 2022 11:00 am
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3401 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28803
6872576
Burial:
Shepherd Memorial Park
US Highway 25
Naples, NC
828-252-3535
Gathering of Friends & Family: August 13, 2022 9:30 am - October 11, 2024 11:00 am
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3401 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28803
6872576
My condolences to the family. He was a good caring man. Who spoke fr9m warmth and love. He loved his family oh so much. It was a pleasure to see and know this family man.
Love you for eternity.
Dear Peart family,
As we were thinking of you and the void that has come to your lives these words to an old song by Randy Travis came to mind
“It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you. It’s what you leave behind you when you go.”
Well done good and faithful servant.
Ed Peart was dating the roommate; but it was Jeanne that he loved talking with. Laurel Jeanne was his soulmate! Schooling at BYU was important for both of them to finish degrees; even through the birth of two children:) Ed had an inventive mind that was enhanced by his work ethic. Designs were accomplished at work sometimes based upon how our human bodies work. At least 7 patents were given for medical devices. My forever favorite device is Ed’s egg timer, because I love the perfectly cooked eggs from my loving pets.
I watched as Ed taught at home, at church, and I’m sure at work as a supervisor. Designs for his homes, his home-made motorhome and their convenience details were based on his observation, not a magazine or Google idea.
Best was Ed as a husband and father whose example was the best teacher. Friendships were enriched by his caring and patient efforts.
Moving on, Ed will continue to be a light wherever he goes.
Dear Family – Just got word today that Eddie had passed from this life. A great loss for those most dear to him and one who knew him personally from the time he was born and through to a bit beyond his move to North Caroline. Yes Laurel, I remember the converted bus. I also had the pleasure of spending time with Michelle and her son in Salt Lake City and correspondence with Melissa and her family. To all of you I send my love and condolences from the bottom of my heart XO
Sorry to hear about his passing. Mr Peart was a great father and OM coach.
Our deepest sympathy to the Peart family.
Always smiling, still smiling, now waiting.. loving God..
I first met Ed when he was a missionary serving in the Albuquerque First Ward. I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force base.
One of my church assignments was teaching the investigator class. Ed and I immediately connected– soul brothers, if you will.
Ed was released from his mission at the same time I finished my four year enlistment. We headed for Provo and enrolled at BYU. We rented a house and proceeded to sale Go Karts and build a Go Kart Track. What wonderful memories from spring through fall in 1960.
We would meet again over the years in places like Detroit and Prove and reminisce about those wonderful early days.
May God bless Ed Peart, a man of genius, good will and a treasured friend.
Monte Bona
Our deepest condolences to your family, all of you! Ed was always a calming, happy presence in my life. I admired his work ethic that you all so eloquently described. He was creative and happy but I mostly remember him as kind. I hope you all have a wonderful time together reminiscing about the many wonderful times.
A better neighbor I don’t think we could have asked for during our growing up years in Arden.
Thanks so much to all of you for being the great friends and wonderful family that you all werej (and have continued to be) to us, the next-door-neighbors. Your father was a blessing to my parent’s world, and made our lives as children wonderful, both with his creations and with his example of work and love. He will be missed.