Lavell Edwards

Reuben LaVell Edwards, age 86, passed away on December 29, 2016. He died peacefully at home with loved ones near his side.

LaVell was born on October 11, 1930, to Philo and Addie Edwards. He was the eighth of 14 children. He loved his parents and siblings. He attended Lincoln High School where he was a member of the 1947 State Champion football team, led by his coaching mentor, Sanky Dixon.

He attended Utah State University to play football. He played center and linebacker and was voted honorable mention All American his senior year. It was through his involvement in the ROTC that he met the love of his life, Patti Covey. An arranged "blind date" was organized, and they fell in love. They were married in Beaver Dam, Utah, on July 21, 1951, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple.

LaVell served in the United States Army in Japan at the end of the Korean War. Upon completion of his duty, he fulfilled his life-long desire of becoming a football coach. His first coaching job was at Granite High School. He was hired at BYU as a defensive coach in 1962, and he later became the defensive coordinator. He was named head coach at BYU in 1972. He decided that his defenses would be rugged and hard-hitting, and his offenses would emphasize the forward pass, a novel concept for the time. He was a successful coach at BYU. He retired with 257 wins, a National Championship (1984), 19 conference championships, numerous All Americans, 4 Davey O'Brien trophy winners, 2 Outland Trophy winners, and a Heisman Trophy winner. He was deeply honored to have the stadium named after him.

He received his bachelor's degree from Utah State University and his master's degree at the University of Utah in the field of physical education. He received his doctorate of education degree at Brigham Young University.

LaVell had many interests outside of football. He loved to play golf. He loved music. His eclectic taste ranged from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and church hymns to Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Broadway show tunes. He loved to garden, and he looked forward to planting flowers every spring, especially zinnias, daylilies, asters, primroses, and snapdragons. He loved to read, especially newspapers and novels. He was interested in charities, including the Utah Kidney Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County.

Most important to him were his family and faith. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as bishop and with the youth. He and Patti also fulfilled their dream by serving a mission in New York City as public affairs missionaries.

LaVell is survived by his wife, Patti, his daughter Ann Cannon (Ken), sons John Edwards (Becky) and Jim Edwards (Lorri). He is survived by 14 grandchildren, Andrea Price Edwards, Phillip Edwards Cannon, Alec Edwards Cannon, Dylan Edwards Cannon, Kelli Edwards Woodard, Matthew Price Edwards, Adam Clark Edwards, Geoffrey Edwards Cannon, Sarah Price Jensen, Quinton Edwards Covey Cannon, Jayne Price Edwards, Nicholas Clark Edwards, Elder William Clark Edwards (Lima Peru North), and Tommy James Edwards. There are 11 great grandchildren. His seven surviving siblings are Ruby Cameron, Norma Brady, Alene Felix, Lewis Edwards, Wayne Edwards, Shirley Maag, and Colleen Healey.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County.

A public memorial service will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017, at 6 p.m. in the Utah Valley Convention Center at 220 Center Street, Provo, Utah.  Condolences may expressed to the family at RememberingLaVell@gmail.com and here on this site.