SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Edward M. Queair, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, died Nov. 19, 2002, at his Makakilo, Hawaii home. He was 65.
Born in Philadelphia, `Eddie' lost his mother, Leticia, at an early age and moved cross-country to live with a brother, Earl S. Ulmer, in Washington. There, he attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle, before joining the Marine Corps at the age of 17.
After more than 4 years attached to the USMC, Eddie joined the Army, serving his country admirably for the next 26 1/2 years, receiving numerous awards and commendations, including the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as service medals from his tour in Vietnam, before retiring at Fort Lewis, Wash., in April of 1985 as a Sergeant Major.
Typical of his personality, Eddie was incapable of just relaxing and enjoying his retirement in Tacoma, Wash., so he went to work for the General Services Administration, working in Seattle; Osan Air Base, South Korea; and, finally, Honolulu. He retired from Civil Service after 16 years, completing a 47-year government career, the last nine years with the United States Navy at Sub-base Pearl Harbor.
Eddie and his family traveled around the world making many friends. At a Ceremony of Life service in Kaneohe, Hawaii, many of those friends had an opportunity to tell stories and share their memories of "The Sergeant Major." They will miss his patriotism, dedication, friendship, respect, sometimes overwhelming personality traits, but, mostly, his gift of gab.
Eddie supported many charities, including the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, as well as The Western Foundation at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karan Ruth; son, Edward Christopher of Santa Monica; daughters Alison Marie of Anchorage, Alaska, and Patricia Alice of Makakilo; three grandchildren; brothers Earl Ulmer of Kirkland, Wash., and Dick Crawford of Oak Harbor, Wash.; sister Erma Mauz of Hilltop, N.J.; and numerous nephews and nieces around the U.S. who miss him deeply but know that he is finally without pain, is able to sleep and is at peace.
SGM (Ret.) Edward (Eddie) M. Queair will be buried with full military honors at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska, where a plaque on the gates to the cemetery says it is dedicated "...to the memory of all the patriotic men and women who answered their country's call to service ... ."
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the WWII Veterans Association, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Army Emergency Relief Program, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, or the USO, in Eddie's name.