Jay Edwards passed away peacefully in his Portland home on September 6, 2016 at the too young age of 69. He was born to Jack and Marian Edwards in Eugene.

Jay grew up in Portland and graduated from Grant High School in 1964, where he was Student Body President and a member of the 1963 State Championship football team. After Grant, he matriculated to Stanford University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated in 1968.

Vietnam called immediately after graduation. Jay answered and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Captain. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and attended University of Oregon Law School, earning his law degree and meeting his future wife whom he dubbed The Lovely Elaine in 1972.

His Washington, D.C. years began with a stint as Chief Assistant to his esteemed mentor, Oregon Congressman Wendell Wyatt. Jay went on to establish the lobbying firm of Edwards Associates, Inc. Prominent clients included Portland General Electric, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, the Navajo Nation and Blue Ribbon Sports/Nike. His advocacy with the U.S. Customs Service helped pave the way for Nikes rapid growth as a nascent business. Jay retired from lobbying to join Nike, Inc. where his experience included Director of Overseas Marketing and Managing Director of European Operations, among other roles. After a long career in the athletic industry, he completed his working years at Adidas America as President of Retail Outlets.

A few of Jays favorite things included summers at his family lake cabin in the Columbia Gorge, spring breaks in San Carlos, golfing, fishing, master gardening, philately, the written word and most importantly being surrounded by family and friends. Our favorite things about Jay are his infectious joie de vivre, transporting sense of humor and inspiring example.

Jay is survived by his wife, Elaine Erickson Edwards; daughters Allison and Elizabeth (Kamissa) Edwards; granddaughter Madison; and siblings Peggy (Terry) Soriano and David Edwards.

A private family service will be held. Should you wish to honor Jay’s memory, we can think of no finer way than the immunotherapy program at Providence Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213. The program gave Jay the gift of one last summer.

Born: November 19, 1946 Death: September 6, 2016 Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.