Edward J. Sugden, Sr.

Birth date: Oct 6, 1918 Death date: Jun 19, 2007

Mr. Sugden was born in St. Louis, MO, son of the late Benjamin and Bertha (Brady) Sugden. He was a retired bottler for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., St. Louis, MO, was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, American Legion Po Read Obituary

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Ed Sugden

959w ago

- - - - Ed Sugden’s Eulogy for his Father (Part 1 of 4) – Monday, June 25, 2007 - - - -

Well they say it goes in threes and we have lost three great Ones -- Babe Woods, Diana’s Mother; Bob Bolhafner, Beverly’s Dad, who we have known for years; and, now my Dad, Ed Sugden.

I would like to thank all of you for all your kind words the past several days, he was a wonderful man.

When they coined the phrase “greatest generation” they had to be looking straight at Ed Sugden. He lived through the depression and I know his family had tough times. His Irish and English family still had many very good times. Dad used to talk about helping bottle the home brew. How it was a treat to eat 1 cent candy. He played soccer for St, Champs and they won the city championship for St. James the Greater Parish. He married my Mom in 1939 and what a life they had, again things were not easy----with already having one child, Barbara and another on the way, he was called to war -- so he fought for our country.

I asked him one time, since he had two children couldn’t he have gotten out of going; he simply told me that wouldn’t have been right! He got injured and received a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. I just recently found out Bronze Stars are awarded for going into actual battles and fighting.

Ed Sugden

959w ago

- - - - Ed Sugden’s Eulogy for his Father (Part 2 of 4) – Monday, June 25, 2007 - - - -

He then came home after winning the war, started working, and the rest of us came along; me first, then the twins, Jean and Jim. Again things were not easy Dad got laid off, there were strikes, Mom caught pneumonia -- nearly died; but we made it and what a great family we had. We had a great childhood, Mom and Dad sent us to parochial grade school and high school - not an easy task, but they did it. Dad at times would work 7 days a week at Anheuser Busch, this was work - it was hot, noisy, and his job was to keep the line running. But through all this he still managed to coach soccer and take walks to the Barracks with us kids. It was this time, I think, he really enjoyed with us.

Dad had a special quality about him, a certain inner peacefulness, he didn’t enjoy big fancy restaurants and dinners -- he enjoyed sitting across the table with friends and family at little taverns and having a beer. There was no pretense he just enjoyed the people he was with and they enjoyed him.

He liked Budweiser he always said he liked the taste, so he drank slow. He would read the bottle and laugh, see why I have lived so long, look at this label -- the choicest hops and barley.

Ed Sugden

959w ago

- - - - Ed Sugden’s Eulogy for his Father (Part 3 of 4) – Monday, June 25, 2007 - - - -

One day Diana and I were having a party and Dad got there a little early and I was running around like crazy trying to get things ready, he was sitting on the patio and there was just a very small flower and he said, “look at that, isn’t that just beautiful?”----I did not even notice it until he mentioned it, I sat down with him and we looked at the flower and talked about just how beautiful this world can be.

Dad liked the ponies, he never had much luck, but he liked the studying and the camaraderie of trying to pick a winning horse. He’d often tell the story about when they had match races at Fairmount, where two horses would race each other. Well he selected his horse and as it was coming around the last turn and his horse was in the lead -- it collapsed and rolled over; and, of course, the other horse won. He would laugh and say I can’t even win a two horse race.

Ed Sugden

959w ago

- - - - Ed Sugden’s Eulogy for his Father (Part 4 of 4) – Monday, June 25, 2007 - - - -

Another time, he called Mom with a tip he got from work. She went over to bet it, but when she got there she decided the odds were too high and bet another horse----guess what, the horse won going away. Again, not very lucky, but he sure was lucky in life -- he loved his family, loved playing golf and he sure enjoyed having a beer with his family and friends.

Later he took care of Mom during her illness, he even got her to walk again with his ‘special therapy’ he called it. He had fun; but I think he was lonely, he then met Helen Hefflinger and they had a great time. Dad had some health problems and Helen was right there to help him. Helen, thank you for all you have done.

There is a song that talks about having a choice of sitting the dance out or getting up and dancing. Well, Dad never did sit out -- he danced through the depression, he danced through World War II, he danced through raising his family, he danced through long illness with my Mom and himself; he danced through life, loving every minute of it!!!

We sure are going to miss him----We love you Dad

Jim Sugden

959w ago

- - - Jim Sugden's Eulogy for his Father (Part 1 of 3) - - - Monday, June 25, 2007 - - -

On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank all of you for all the kindness and support and for being here today.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jim Sugden and I'm Ed’s youngest child.

My dad married my mother, Bernice, in March 31st, 1939. The marriage produced 5 children (Barbara, Margie, Ed Jr, twin sister jean and myself) and lasted 60 wonderful, years until my mother’s death in 1999. We were a family of 7. We lost our sister Margie in 1998. Now we are 4.

Dad passed away on Tuesday June 19, he was 88 years old. A young 88 years old.

He was a remarkably good man. A sympathetic and sensitive person. He always had a kind word for everyone he met, and no one was a stranger after the first meeting. He had a way to always make people feel good about themselves.

He was part of the Greatest Generation. He grew up during the Depression-era, followed by his participation in WWII. Life was not always easy.

He worked and retired from Anheuser Busch. He never had the advantage of a college education. But his intelligence and wit was equal to a PHD.

That is one of the things I will miss most –

Jim Sugden

959w ago

- - - Jim Sugden's Eulogy for his Father (Part 2 of 3) - - - Monday, June 25, 2007 - - -

I will miss the ability to call him to get his opinion, his wise advice and insightful comments and of course his great humor. He taught me so many things.

I will miss our discussions about investing and how my new “hot” stock was going to be a rocket.

I will also miss the time that he gave to all of us kids. – ( which he always corrected, and said they are “children”- goats are kids)

I now remember all the good times as if we had done them all last weekend –

I remember as a child walking the railroad tracks together in Jefferson Barracks finding- “fools gold” –rocks that I would take home, and eventually Mom would have to throw away.

I remember all the times we golfed together.

I remember playing golf with his buddies – I was just learning the game, but he would take me anyway – and I accidentally hit one was of his friends with one of my shots – he never said anything. And he continued to take me with him.

I think he especially liked the times when he golfed with his two sons. He was more than a Dad, he was our friend and buddy. We would leave for golf at 8 am – and we would not get home till late – enjoying each others company and companionship.

Jim Sugden

959w ago

- - - Jim Sugden's Eulogy for his Father (Part 3 of 3) - - - Monday, June 25, 2007 - - -

I remember all the times we traveled together – especially the trips to Florida.

In the last years of his life he met Helen. The two of them became inseparable, and when dad became ill, Helen became his main care giver – Thank you Helen for taking such good care of him.

The loss of my father has been painful.

Perhaps the most consoling words came from a friend Think of the legacy he left you -- a curiosity about life, a hunger for knowledge, an example of a life whose riches owe little to money, a sense that anything is possible if you work hard, a model of what a father should be. Those are all great gifts.

For throughout his life, dad consistently chose life, he fought for life until the end.

If Dad would spread his wings today, he would be amazed how many lives are within his wing span. He touched and had an impact on so many lives.

Dad I am very proud of you. You are my hero. Life without you will be very, very difficult.

Dad, I love you.

Dad, We all love you

Thank You.

Lindsay Tomich

963w ago

Ed, All of my prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time! I look forward to seeing you in MN. Sincerely, Lindsay

Jayme Bogner

963w ago

Ed, sorry to hear about your dad. Just want to let you know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. The Bogner Family

Mathew And Rodmy George

963w ago

Ed, Diane, Christina, Eddie, and the entire Sugden family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will fondly remember your father.

Regards,
Mathew and Rosmy George

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