Obituary of James Jim J. Edwards

James "Jim" J. Edwards, 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jim was a respected Funeral Director for 41 years, a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He loved his profession to which he felt called and dedicated his life to it. In 1985 he established Albuquerque Mortuary Services, the State's first commercial embalming service. His greatest dream was realized in 1993 when he established Hillcrest Funeral Home, now the current site of Riverside Funeral Home. He was proud to serve as the President of the New Mexico Funeral Director Association, as well as a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association. Jim loved the wide open spaces of the West, riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle on its roads and fishing the lakes with his friends. He was preceded in death by his father Howard F. Strawser. He is survived by his loving wife Beverly Edwards; his mother Marina Strawser; sister Rebecca Lopez and brother in law Daniel Lopez of Hoschton, Georgia; daughter Priscilla Mishler and son in law Jesse Mishler and two granddaughters. All services for Jim will be held at Riverside Funeral Home Chapel. A Viewing will take place on Thursday, January 11, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A Final Viewing will begin at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 12, 2018 with a Funeral Service, officiated by Bishop Charles Noe, to begin at 11:00 AM. All are invited to attend a reception following the service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 4500 7 Bar Loop Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. Entombment will take place at 2:30 PM at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Watts, Paul D'Agostino, Albert Sutton, Charles M. Finegan, Elizabeth Rymarz-Misner, and John Shultz. Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home 225 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 (505) 764-9663.