Lakeland WWII Veteran Edwin Gideon Celebrates 100th Birthday

Early Life and Entrepreneurship

• 💡 Edwin Gideon started his working life in the late 1930s in Luchi, Florida, picking Spanish moss from trees.
• 💰 He developed an innovative method of curing the moss with hot water and lime, which allowed him to hustle and earn money when pennies made a significant difference.

Military Service and Sacrifice

• ⚓ At 17, Edwin joined the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor, sending his entire salary of $56 a month home to help his mother.
• ✈️ He served as a bomber mechanic at Cecil Field in Jacksonville and later on the USS Yorktown, delivering and retrieving troops in the Pacific.
• ⚠️ He acknowledged knowing many who did not survive the war, highlighting the sacrifices made.

Personal Life and Legacy

• ❤️ Edwin met his wife, who introduced him to his mother, at a skating rink, leading to a marriage of nearly 72 years.
• 🎂 Family and friends gathered to celebrate his 100th birthday, a testament to his long and impactful life.
• 🕊️ Sadly, Edwin passed away shortly after his centennial celebration, leaving behind a legacy of service to his country and family.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He is survived by three sons, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.