Clarence Albert Edgens Jr., World War II vet
Clarence “Coty” Albert Edgens Jr., 92, Lewes native, the son of the late Clarence Albert and Wilhelmina Schmierer Edgens, departed this life Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, to be with our Lord. He is predeceased by his wife, Ruth Hazel Edgens; a son, Walter Curtis Bryan; and a brother Wilda Scott.
During World War II, Coty served his county in the U.S. Army as a military police officer for two years (1944-46). During that time he guarded Italian, German and U.S. prisoners in our country. His outfit received a meritorious award from General George C. Patton. His ribbons consist of Meritorious, American Theatre, Good Conduct and Victory Ribbon WWII.
After a military discharge, he worked for Joe’s Cab Company until he began working at the Lewes Post Office (1948-81), where he retired after 33 years of dedicated service. After that, he spent 20 years house painting locally with his dear friend, Dave.
In the 1960s, he and four other Lewes natives formed an investment corporation. They bought a total of 25 Lewes town properties, which included many houses that are now on the historical registry, the former Lewes Movie Theatre, that once existed on Savannah Road, and the property that once housed the Mary Carter Paint Store on Mulberry Street.
He was a lifetime member (65 years) of American Legion Post 17 and a member (58 years) of the Lewes Masonic Lodge. He was a past member of the Lions Club and the Moose Lodge.
Coty will be remembered by his friends and family for his humorous story telling. And his children will never forget his contributions to people in need in the community when they were growing up. And stories of his own childhood spent combing the Lewes Canal for bottles to pay for his movie tickets, from the theatre he and friends would later purchase and bring back to life. His children also remember their living off the land, as he taught them to crab, fish and clam the local waters.
In his personal notes, he mentions great pleasure in watching Sunday races with his son, and also how he missed his dear wife, Ruth, every day of his remaining life.
He is survived by a son and four daughters, Nancy L. Wyatt of Lewes, Linda L. Mitchell (Pat) of Haines City, Fla., Patricia A. Gable (Bob) of Lewes, Clarence A. Edgens III (Joyce) of Millsboro, and Darlene D. Edgens of Lewes; two stepdaughters, Connie Breeding of Hickman and Sara Nelson of Winter Haven, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Betty Ann Hazel Connor; and his beloved dog, Ike.
A Military Graveside Service will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m., at Henlopen Memorial Park, 28787 Lockerman Road, Milton. Chaplain Peter McDonald (Delaware Hospice) will officiate.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton.
