Edgar A. Wilkins “Ed” at age 83 passed on Monday, November 30th surrounded by family.
Ed was born on December 25, 1931, in Sacramento, CA, and at an early age his parents moved the family to Fresno, both chemists, to work for Twining Laboratories.
He attended Heaton Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High and Fresno High School. After his father passed away unexpectedly at an early age Ed went into the Air Force.
After serving in the Air Force, Ed attended Fresno City College and Fresno State College and graduated with a degree in Political Science. His early working years were in farming in Tranquility, Mendota, Firebaugh and Five Points.
In the early sixties Governor Pat Brown appointed him to the California Farm Labor Commission, served as Vice President of Western Cotton Growers and was the youngest member ever appointed to serve on Westland Water District Board. He served until he retired from farming in the early seventies to pursue a career in real estate development.
He enjoyed a successful career in real estate development that spanned 45 years and included residential lot development, commercial shopping centers and medical office buildings.
Ed’s true passion in life was hunting and fishing.
Ed is survived by his wife, Sara, his children, Michael Wilkins and his wife Thea, and Jeffrey Wilkins, Lisa Morinini and her husband Dino, Eric and his wife Kristie, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, one brother Roger Wilkins and one sister Lynn Roderick.
He was preceded in death by his son, Sam, Parents Edgar and Rodella Wilkins, and two sisters Louise Lawrence and Janet Janssens.
Ed was especially proud of his family and loved them more than words can express, especially his beloved grandchildren.
Donations may be made to Community Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 1232, Fresno, CA 93715.
Graveside services will be held at Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 8th, followed with food and drinks at the Oakhurst Community Center.
