Russell "Rusty" Edwards

Russell Hall “Rusty” Edwards was born in Bastrop, Texas, on March 18, 1947, to Freddie Russle and Shirley Tarver Edwards.  Rusty spent his early childhood years in Austin and attended Bryker Woods Elementary School and O. Henry Middle School before moving to Bastrop to live with his grandparents.  While in Bastrop, he attended Bastrop High School and was a member of the Class of 1965. During his school years, he played Little League baseball, and was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Bastrop FFA.  He also entered his drawing of a “Tiger in the Grass” picture and won first place in the Laguna Gloria Art Show in Austin.  While living in Bastrop, he spent countless hours riding horses, learning the cattle business and working cattle around Central and South Texas with his grandfather, Hall Tarver.

The 1960’s brought much excitement when he saddled up his horse and rode alone from Bastrop to the San Antonio Livestock Show. In 1968 he moved to El Portal, California, and worked as a horse wrangler and packer for Yosemite Park and Curry Company in the beautiful High Country of Yosemite National Park. In the early 1970’s he received his Associates of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and became a member of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement while working as a police officer for the City of Bastrop under the late Chief of Police, Adell Powell.  A short time later he began working for Bastrop County Sheriff’s Department     During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s he was promoted to Chief Deputy under Sheriff Hoskins and worked closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division.  After working at the Sheriff’s Office for several years, he then went on to the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office Law Enforcement Division.  Rusty then was sworn in by the late Federal Judge Robert Nowlin of the Western District of Texas and was employed by the United States Federal Marshal’s Service as a Federal Marshal in San Antonio.

The 1990’s brought a career change and more adventure , when he began turning the land he loved into a operating business.   He erected an arena and hosted many ropings, playdays, and held benefit ropings and other events to help families in need.  During these years he supported and worked with the Bastrop FFA and Smithville FFA and received awards from both chapters.

The early 2000’s brought on more friendship as the dirt bike clubs found him and the beautiful trails along Walnut Creek. He put together and formed relationships with mud run competitors from around the country and Canada and hosted several multiple events such as barrel racings, ropings and playdays for the youth. He also participated in two music video’s; Kendall Shaffer’s “Horses in Heaven”, and Joe Diffie’s “Texas Size Heartache”. He also worked with the TV series, “Friday Night Lights” and was a member of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce. He was also recognized by the Austin Business Journal. His latest adventure from 2015 to the present time, was owner and operator of Rusty’s Walnut Creek Horse Boarding facility while continuing to schedule mud runs and other events.

Rusty was also a member of the Former Texas Ranger Foundation in Fredericksburg.  He loved the Ranger Foundation as two of his ancestors, Robert Hall and Etheldred “Frate” Tarver were early Texas Rangers.   He also had a strong interest in the history of the Alamo since he is a direct descendent of William Philip King, the 16-year-old son of John Gladden King and Parmelia Parchman King, who was the youngest defender and Hero of the Alamo.  For many years Rusty was very active in the Ranger Foundation where he was involved in placing plaques at grave sites throughout Texas.

In 1994  Rusty met and married Lorraine Hunter.   During the past 28 years, they have enjoyed many events at Walnut Creek Ranch, but the two most significant events were welcoming their two grandsons, Clayton Hall Vinklarek, July 2002, and Caden Trace Voss, February 2011.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Lorraine Edwards of Cedar Creek, his daughter, Malinda Edwards Vinklarek of Bastrop; his two grandchildren, Clayton Hall “Clay” Vinklarek and Caden Trace Voss of  Bastrop.  He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Joe Shull of Arlington, Virginia; his brother, Gary Michael Edwards of Bastrop; a nephew, Austin Shull of Maine and a niece, Amanda Shull of New York City. He also leaves behind many cousins, good friends, and cherished pets: his beloved dog, Sadie, his cat, Geoffrey and his horse, Cricket.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Heath Edwards, his parents Fred and Shirley Tarver Edwards and grandparents, Hall and Ethel Tarver.

Visitation will be held at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 1307 Highway 95, Bastrop, Texas.

Pall Bearers are William Griesenbeck, Frank Wise, Patrick Cantrell, Larry Ledoux, Steve Martin and Kevin Gieselhart.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Charlie Bond, Billy Jack Griesenbeck, Keith Cantrell, and Bo Halliburton.

Memorials and donations may be made to the Former Texas Ranger Foundation, The Alamo, Bastrop FFA, Smithville FFA, or to a favorite charity of your choice.

Thank you to all who contributed to Rusty’s care during his illness—St. David’s Hospitals in Austin and Georgetown, Journey of Life, and to his friends, relatives and neighbors who visited him regularly.

A special thank you to Terry Ruby for the Open Saddle Ceremony.