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Our paper’s Holly Jackson did a really fine recap of the history of one of Washington’s most illustrious, Edgar Woolard Jr.

To say Edgar reached the pinnacle, the absolute zenith of the industrial world is not hyperbole. He became, step-by-progressive step, the chief executive officer and chairman of the DuPont Company. Not too shabby, wouldn’t you say?

Equally impressive was Edgar’s leadership in helping to restructure one of the computer world’s giants.

Edgar’s efforts and selfless leadership in charitable enterprises over many years is testament to the character of this special man.

Form 1946 to 1950-when I was a young lad-I lived just around the corner from Edgar and his family. They lived on the corner of 11^th St. and Bonner. We lived on 12^th St., between Market and Bonner.

One thing missing from the encomia that his obituary and Holly’s piece (unknowingly) was Edgar’s prowess as an athlete.

He was the starting right halfback (no, the term running back was not used then) on the undefeated, 11-0, 1951 Washington High School Pam Pack football team. Then, following that, he was a starting forward on the 1951-52 basketball team that was the state champion runner-up.

In the semi-finals of the state tourney, the Pam Pack played a favored Tri-Cities team (Leakesville, Spray, Draper) and defeated them. Edgar was nine of 10 from the floor that night. Truly remarkable.

Edgar’s mother’s name was Mamie, and all we neighborhood kids called her that. His older sister, Barbara, was called Bobbie.

She was very smart also. She had to be, because Carl and I both said that she was the only one who could ever make algebra at least a little bit understandable.

The Woolard family was truly special. They were smart, down-to-earth, and eminently likeable.

Knowing them was a blessing.

APROPOS-By their fruits ye shall know them.

                                             -Bible, Matthew 7:20