Ed “Eddie” Englert (Chavies) took his final flight on February 17, 2022. Eddie was born equipped with a
relentless love for adventure on November 5, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. Ed was preceded in flight by
Bunny and Magic, his beloved cats. Ed is survived by his sister Gina R. Shannon; nieces, Taryn H.
Shannon and Candyce B. Jones; nephew in law, Dylan R. Jones; and his beloved great nephews and
nieces, Dillion L. Shannon, Tyler R. Jones, Nicholas I. Munoz, Chance J. Jones, Lily R. Jones, and Isabella R.
Jones; along with many close friends and chosen family.
Ed spent his early years organizing adventures for Teddy (his oversized teddy bear) and Gina, his baby
sister. Ed set out for real adventure when he, like so many his age, spread his young, idealistic wings for
California. During this adventure Ed worked a series of odd jobs, one of the most meaningful and
memorable being his time with Greenpeace. Ed thrived with Greenpeace going from an office clerk to a
delegate representing Greenpeace for the San Francisco chapter. Ed later studied accounting and
worked primarily as an accountant. Ed came to Texas (for a planned 3 years) in 1990. This phase of Ed’s
adventure was one filled with family, children, and quite a ride.
To type out a vague, incomplete history of Eddie’s life would be an injustice to Ed as a person. Ed lived
more in his “70” years than most people live in a lifetime. Ed did not brag or boast unless doing so for
comedic effect. If you knew Ed, you learned most of his adventures through his stories. Ed was a master
storyteller. He knew exactly how to weave a story together for maximum effect. He had a gift for making
people laugh, even in what one might see as difficult situations. He had the most beautiful mind and
heart even though he strived to be a grumpy and mean old man. Even then, he could not stop making
people laugh or showing his caring side. Ed has stated his favorite words were ironic and irony,
according to him, because of their meaning. What may have made Ed even more special was his ability
to make an impact on all people he met. He listened and accepted each person as they were, unless you
did not return his hello. He could relate to anybody and accept people as they are. He could find his way
in most situations. What those of us left behind have in common are memories of a complex, unique,
hysterical, multi-faceted, one of a kind “Eddie”. An exceptionally good man. Ed never let go of his love
for a good adventure, no matter how big or small. He made everything into an adventure and certainly
did not discourage anybody else from adventure, so long as he could come. In true Ed fashion, he
“achieved” his goal of being a grumpy old man at 70 by proclaiming himself 70 (he was 69) and going all
in with his perceived grumpy behaviors, only to posthumously be described as one of kindest, funniest,
grumpy old man ever met. Irony?
There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe who Ed truly was and what he meant to his
family, his chosen family, his lifelong friends, and even those who knew him only briefly during a shared
period of life. Ed was a character in the sense that there was nobody like him. He did everything all the
way or not at all. There will be no shortage of tears and laughter in the coming days and years. What Ed
would want is for us to find the irony and humor in our own lives, to keep looking for rainbows, and to
make us smile. Ed touched many people and forged many forever friendships along his trudging journey
to happy destiny. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to local animal shelters or
rescue agencies.