DONORS:
William B. and Betty K. Edwards, S. Paul and Polly Edwards, Robert and
Catheryn Kinser, James McClain, Edward and Dorothy Carlson, Melissa
Paige Windsor and Beverly James, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Frank, Jack and Eleanor
Crockford, Monte Seehorn, Walter and Sally Spofford, Janice Edwards and
Tomas Vitek, John and Vicki Swift
Malcolm Edwards was an early and generous supporter of The
Archives of Falconry. Among his many generous gifts was the
unique NAFA belt buckle, crafted by Silverado Silversmiths for the
1980 Meet raffle. The buckle was patterned after the 1979 Meet
print, NAFA’s first meet print, by Richard Sloan.
L-R: Alva Nye, Kin Quitugua, & Malcolm Edwards – NAFA Alamosa, 1980
Malcolm, a Gainsville
resident, was known by
many as “The Grandfather
of Georgia Falconry”.
M
alcolm Grey Edwards pioneered falconry in Georgia. The Gainesville resident was
known by many as “The Grandfather of Georgia Falconry”. He helped lay down
the ground rules for the sport. A lifelong falconer, Mr. Edwards helped draft state
legislation to regulate hunting seasons and establish falconry licensing requirements in the
mid-1970s according to his wife, Betty. A former director of the North American Falconers’
Association, Mr. Edwards trained and raised Redtails and Harris Hawks among other birds.
He was a founder and past president of the Georgia Falconry Association and worked tirelessly
on behalf of the sport. A master falconer for many years, he sometimes sponsored apprentice
falconers, provided the person could handle the responsibility.
Recognizing Mr. Edwards’ expertise and contribution to the sport, Georgia Public Television
aired a program on falconry which was dedicated to Mr. Edwards as the “Grandfather of
Georgia Falconry.” Mr. Edwards worked with Cornell University and the Peregrine Fund’s
recovery team. Birds of prey were Mr. Edwards’ life long passion.
A native of Asheville, N.C., Mr. Edwards earned bachelor’s degree in wildlife management
from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He supervised game wardens in western
North Carolina before joining the US Forest Service. He later relocated to Atlanta and became
the branch chief of the service’s wildlife division for the Southeastern region.
A true friend of the earth, he maintained a deep interest in the outdoors his entire life. He was
as knowledgeable as anyone in the Southeast about the woodlands and wildlife. His passion for the environment was so great that even
while undergoing treatment for cancer, he would write articles stating his position and clarifying issues. His experience and voice on
outdoors issues will be missed.
A decorated World War II veteran, Mr. Edwards served in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier and was awarded the Silver Star, the Air
Medal, and the Purple Heart.
He was survived by his wife, Betty, daughters Anita Grey Edwards and Janice Lee Edwards.
Thoughts from
Friends
Malcolm and his Red Tail in 1990.
I never knew a kinder soul. I brashly invited myself along
on one of his peregrine banding trips. Without ever having
met me, he was gracious and let me assist with everything.
During my years as a NAFA ofcer and Malcolm as Southeast
Director, I appreciated his fair attitude and sensible Southern
Gentleman’s spirit as he tackled the organizations’ issues. He
will be missed, and if you did not know him, you missed out.
–M. Alan Jenkins
A true gentleman with a good sense of humor, an avid
hawker, unpretentious, a talented speaker and writer, a
leader in captive breeding, and certainly the grandfather of
falconry in Georgia. – Bill Boni
At the rst state meet I attended, I found myself as one of
two women in a totally male fraternity. I did not know
a soul. Malcolm showed me around. He showed us his
photo albums from the good old days. Just hearing him
talk, warmed me to the group. He took us trapping. He was
indeed a gentleman. – Melinda