Asa B. Edwards,"Ace", died Sunday, February 27, 2000. He was born on June 5, 1922, in Albuquerque, the son of Lelia and Asa Edwards. Ace grew up in Albuquerque, graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1940, and began work in the Albuquerque National Bank.

When WWII began, he joined the Army Air Corps and, following Aviation Cadet and Bombardier training joined the 39th Bomb Group as a Bombardier in a B29 Superfortress. As part of the 39th Bomb Group, he deployed to Guam where he flew numerous combat missions in the Pacific, including Japan.

Following the war, he converted to reserve status and returned to Albuquerque to work again at the Albuquerque National Bank. In 1949, he married Eva L. Jennings of Clovis, N.M.

When the Korean War started, Ace was recalled to active duty and flew combat missions in Korea, again in the B29. Following the Korean War, he remained in the Air Force as a career officer with a career that spanned 33 years of service to his country and assignments throughout the United States, England, Germany, and Korea.

He finished his Air Force career with two successive tours as Communications Squadron Commander and finally as a Deputy Group Commander at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA.

He retired from military service in 1975 at the rank of Colonel. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals, and two Air Force Commendation Medals plus numerous campaign ribbons from his combat service in two wars.

In 1976, following the death of his wife, Eva, he returned home to Albuquerque to live. In 1978, he married Barbara Dixon, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque. After a few years living on the northeast side of town, he and Barbara found a special southwestern style house in the northwest of Albuquerque, which they bought and began working to turn into a showplace for southwestern living. They did much of the work themselves, taking advantage of Barbara's artistic abilities and Ace's know how or ability to learn to do anything. He and Barbara continued to live in this house to this date.