O. B. Edmondson
( 1910-2004)
Brother O. B. Edmondson, civic leader and pillar of the community, mayor, and long time agricultural teacher at Cross Plains High School was a 50 year member of Cross Plains Lodge No. 627. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on May 5, 1949, passed to FellowCraft on May 5, 1950 and raised to Master Mason on July 11, 1950. As his former student, this writer well remembers his presents at my own initiation some ten years later. "Prof" was a much beloved teacher and mentor to many who learned under his tutelage.
From Brother Edmondson's obituary:
A 61-year resident of Cross Plains passed away peacefully at Christopher House in Austin, Texas early Wednesday morning, November 17, 2004. O. B. Edmondson,"Prof" to many of his former students, taught in the Cross Plains Independent School District for 35 years and influenced the lives of those who lived in Callahan County.
O.B. was born December 11, 1910 to Joseph Edward Edmondson and Nancy Jane Franks in Slocum, Texas. He married Bobbie Lee Westerman in 1940 and together they built a long and productive life in the Cross Plains area.
He attended Sam Houston State where he received his B.S. degree and furthered his education at Texas A&M University where he received a Master of Science in Agricultural Education. He joined Cross Plains ISD in 1941 and began developing one of the strongest Future Farmers of America chapters in Texas. He was recognized numerous times by the Texas Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association for his outstanding work receiving their Distinguished Service Award in 1967, 1972 and 1976. He was most proud of the achievements of the students in the FFA chapter which he sponsored. Under his guidance, the chapter won many awards in leadership contests in district, area and state competitions, placing 1st in district during ten consecutive years. In 1950, the Cross Plains chapter had the distinction of having more degreed Lone Star Farmers than any chapter in the state.
O.B. believed in civic engagement and remained active in the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Lakewood Recreation Center, and Athletic Boosters Club. He served two terms as mayor of Cross Plains and was instrumental in the city receiving a sizeable grant that was used for city services improvements. He joined the First Baptist Church of Cross Plains in 1941.
His wife of 62 years preceded him in death in January of 2002. He is survived by his son Eddy Don Edmondson and his wife Gayle Pickering of Austin; his grandson Corbin Edmondson of Austin; granddaughter Colie Edmondson Hudson and her husband Wade of Dripping Springs, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Lily and Luke Hudson. Of his five siblings, his surviving sister is Myrtle Flint of Palestine, Texas.
