John Thurston Edwards III left the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God on Monday, October 16, 2017 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Eric Jones officiating.
John Thurston Edwards III (Thurston) was born May 4, 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. He spent most of his childhood in Jacksonville, North Carolina and was a 1974 graduate of Jacksonville Senior High School. He attended Western Carolina University. Thurston greatest achievements were realized in numerous highly successful movies and television shows where he was a set decorator.
Thurston was predeceased by his father, John Thurston Edwards, and sister, Jeanie Louisa Edwards. His mother, Mary Jane Edwards resides in Wilmington, North Carolina. Thurston is also survived by his brother Joseph Lynn Edwards (Joe) (Amy) of Pendleton, South Carolina and his brother James Hamilton Edwards (Jim) (Janice) of Houston, Texas. Additionally, he leaves behind four nephews (to whom he was known as Uncle JB), Nathaniel, Tyler, Preston and Daniel Edwards, one niece, Blaire Edwards and a great niece, Lillian Graniero. Thurston's family also included his beloved dogs Yoshi and Luca – he recently said goodbye to his dearly loved dog, Sukie, his companion for 17 years.
Thurston was a member IMDB and Union I.A.T.S.E Local 491. His credits as a Set Decorator include: Good Behavior, Under the Dome, Secrets and Lies, The Remaining, Piranha 3DD, A Smile as Big as the Moon, Level Up, Eastbound & Down The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations, and One Tree Hill. His other credits include: Iron Man, A Cinderella Story, Butter, The Crazies, Little Britain USA, Nights in Rodanthe, The Secret Life of Bees, Stateside, The Locket, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The Last Castle, The Runaway, 28 Days, Muppets from Space, Funny Valentines, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, and Radioland Murders, Matlock and Dawson's Creek.
Thurston was a loving son providing excellent care to his mother for many years is and beloved by his brothers and all who met him. His special creativity allowed him to excel at movie and television set decoration as well as writing of many plays and poetry. He was a friend of all who suffered and was in need.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Thurston's memory to CAPS, PO Box 32, Jacksonville, NC 28541.