University of Arkansas
Fayetteville

Ron was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the second of two children of B.E. and Macel Edwards. He started his education in the Fayetteville School system, later moving to Farmington AR and completing his K-12 education at Farmington School. Immediately after high school graduation, Ron attended the University of Arkansas, striking for a business degree. Before he could complete this degree, however, Uncle Sam's lottery system announced it was just weeks away from drafting him into the armed forces. Ron learned he could continue his education if he joined the armed services rather than wait to be drafted, albeit in a different field. Ron joined the Navy, was quickly shipped off to boot camp in Orlando, Florida, and from there was sent to San Diego, California to attend school. Upon completing Navy training and schools, Ron was sent to Okinawa, Japan to serve most of his remaining time on active duty. He arrived on the island during the heat of the Vietnam conflict. The island of Okinawa was being used to stage all divisions of the armed forces as a last stop before battle, and was also receiving many of the war's casualties.
He met his wife, Connie, in the first grade at Fayetteville school. Interestingly, one day the teacher caught them kissing at recess and called Connie's parents (but not Ron's), a point that still angers Connie to this very day. Ron and Connie crossed paths again during high school and college years, and the rest is history. They have two children and five grandchildren.
After completing his Navy obligation, Ron ran a service truck for a local vending company for a short while, then worked on various construction jobs around northwest Arkansas. When Ron saw construction work was about to come to a standstill, he found "temporary" employment with the Housing Department at the University of Arkansas. This work was to last for two months, at which time the next big construction project was scheduled to kick-off and Ron was planning to return to the world of building.
However, near the end of that two month period, Ron's boss came to ask if he would be interested in staying on a bit longer. After much consideration, mostly due to the fact he was making almost exactly half as much money at the U of A that he made doing construction work, he had to decline the University's offer. When the University came back with a second offer, Ron agreed to stay. THIRTY FIVE YEARS LATER, the two month job still seems to be working out quite well. Ron's current position as Director of Facility Operations & Maintenence also encompasses the University's Environmental Health and Safety program. Ron says his gray sideburns are not from birthdays but from responsibilities.
When not on duty at the U of A, Ron enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, hunting various game in Arkansas and Kansas, and he and Connie enjoy taking long motorcycle rides through the scenic Ozarks.
Ron has been a member of many professional organizations during his 35 year career at the U of A within the Housing and Facilities arenas. However, Ron admits his favorite and most enjoyable (largely due to the individuals involved) is AAFA. He makes every effort to attend both the spring and fall meetings and says he always comes away feeling he has been enlightened and encouraged.