Edwin Arthur Masters, Sr.
December 8, 1939 - June 16, 2022
SAN DIEGO, CA — Edwin Arthur Masters, Sr, 82, passed away on June 16, 2022 at his home in San Diego, California following a diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Ed was born December 8, 1939 in Carthage, Missouri to Charles Masters and Dorothy Leona (McVey) Masters. He was the second of three children.
In 1958, following his high school graduation in Fayetteville, Arkansas he moved to Anaheim, California where he worked roofing houses with his brother-in-law, Clifford Cook (now deceased).
On September 10, 1958 he enlisted in the United States Navy. After completion of basic training he was stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station. During his service he traveled to Japan twice on aircraft carrier cruises, aboard the USS Oriskany and the USS Lexington. He completed his Navy service and was honorably discharged on September 7, 1962. He remained in San Diego, California until his passing.
On May 1, 1963 Ed joined the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. As a deputy, he was part of the first Sheriff’s SWAT Team. As a deputy in the Sheriff ’s Crime Lab, he was a crime scene investigator, a polygraph examiner and a court-certified fingerprint expert.
In January 1990 he was hired as a criminal investigator with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office where he worked on many criminal prosecutions. He retired from that position in March 1998.
On June 17, 1972 Ed earned an Associate in Science degree in Criminology/Law
Enforcement from Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, California.
On June 6, 1976 Ed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from La Verne University in La Verne, California.
In 1978 Ed met the love of his life, Alyce (nee) Gearhart whom he referred to as his “forever wife”. They married on June 28,1981 and enjoyed 40+ loving years together. Ed passed away just twelve days short of their 41st anniversary.
Ed enjoyed a number of activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, golf, scuba diving and woodworking, especially building bird houses. Ed and Alyce enjoyed many years of traveling and camping in their fifthwheel. They shared many adventures with friends from their Escapee RV Club, the Shanty Shakers, at the El Cajon Elks Lodge #1812 and at their church, Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California.
Ed is survived by his wife, Alyce Masters; his sons Edwin A. Masters, Jr. (El Cajon) and Robert Masters (San Diego); his brother Ronald Masters of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his niece Jennifer Boyles (Paul) and their son, Brady, all of Lowell, Arkansas; his nephews, Michael Cook and Larry (Faviola) Cook and their children. He is also survived by cousins, family members and friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Shirley Masters Cook; his former brotherin-law Clifford Cook; his nephew David Cook and his former sister-in-law Sue Masters Rodemich.
Interment services at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, California 92122 are planned for a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Home of Guiding Hands, 1908 Friendship Dr, El Cajon, California 92020 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.