Edward Gaines Sr.
November 9, 1928 — September 2, 2014
Edward Gaines (TSgt. Air Force Ret.), of Cibolo, Texas, was born in Bessemer, Alabama, to Arvin C. and Jesse Gaines, on November 9, 1928, one of four sons. He attended and graduated from Dunbar High School, attended college in Tennessee, and joined the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the Army he promptly joined the U.S. Air Force. He then was stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Caribou, Maine, where he married his high school sweetheart, Ruby Lee Smith, and they had their first child, Roxanne. He was again sent overseas to Japan. Son Edward Jr. was born during that time in Detroit, Michigan. The family reunited in Texas when Sgt. Gaines was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, and there daughter Ellen, and son, Jesse, were born. The family moved to Wheeler Air Force Base on Oahu, Hawaii, where their youngest child, Annette, was born. Upon completion of his tour in Hawaii, Sgt. Gaines was stationed at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and from there the family returned to Randolph Air Force Base, in Universal City, Texas. Several years later, while the family remained in Texas, Sgt. Gaines served an additional overseas tour in the Vietnam War. On his return he retired from the Air Force after 24 years of honorable service, and was recruited shortly thereafter to a 16-year career as a Correctional Officer with the Huntsville State Penitentiary, and then worked for Wackenhut Securities Corp., which is now Kyle Correctional Center, ultimately retiring from there in 2009. He confessed Christ at an early age and was Baptist. He is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Ruby Lee, and his brother, William. He is survived, and remembered dearly, by his brothers Karl Gaines, of Atlanta, GA, and S.N. Gaines, of Birmingham, AL, and his children, Roxanne of Los Angeles, CA, Edward, Jr., of Schertz, TX, Ellen Mann-Rice and husband James Rice of Los Angeles, Jesse and wife Rosemary, of Cibolo, TX, and Annette Gaines-Garcia and husband Eduardo, of Selma, TX, along with grandchildren Alexis Annette, Brandon Edward, Michele Brianna, Tristan Augustus, Jaelen Danielle, Ellesha Jovana, and Zhavani Celeste, and many relatives and friends. Edward Gaines was called home by God on September 2, 2014. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his devotion to his family, his love of cooking and music, his tireless work ethic, his wonderful wit, sense of humor and cheerfully bright personality. He was beloved by all who worked with and came in contact with him. Visitation from 9:30-10:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral service for Edward Gaines will be held at Resurrection Baptist Church in Schertz Texas on September 16, 2014. Burial service with military honors will be held at Ft, Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas at 1:30 p.m.
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