RALPH L. EDWARDS

Ralph Leon Edwards of Cape Girardeau, a longtime businessman in this area, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was 74.

He was born May 15, 1912, at Caruthersville, son of John and Pearl Smith Edwards. He and Phyllis Rupp were married March 13, 1954, in St. Louis.

In 1946 Edwards and Homer Yount formed Cape Girardeau Leather Manufacturing Co., a leather outerwear and apparel for men and women. The name was changed to Cagleco Sportswear in 1952, and to Ralph Edwards Sportswear Inc. in 1957.

They formed Rey Manufacturing in 1958, and Appalachian Sportswear Inc. in Tullahoma, Tenn., in 1963. In 1968, Rey Manufacturing became a direct subsidiary of Ralph Edwards Sportswear, and Appalachian merged into Ralph Edwards Sportswear.

Yount retired in 1971, and Edwards bought his interest. The company received numerous awards in the 1960s and '70s. There were additional locations in Puxico and Sikeston, and partnerships with facilities in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Tijuana, Mexico, and for a short time in Seoul, Korea.

Edwards was a member of First Baptist Church, and was a member and had taught its Keystone Sunday School Class. Other memberships include: Lions Club, Elks, St. Mark's Masonic Lodge, and Chamber of Commerce.

He was director of St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad Co., and served on the Advisory Board of Correctional Enterprises of Missouri Department of Corrections.

Past affiliations include Industrial Sector Advisory Council of the United States Department of Commerce, Tanners Council of America, Hide Council of America, Cape Girardeau City Charter Commission, Vision 2000 Steering Committee, and was director of National Outerwear and Sportswear Association.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Edwards, a daughter, Judi Lamar, all of Cape Girardeau, and a brother, William Edwards of Angers, France.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. John Owen will officiate, with private entombment in Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. today.