Edward R. Adwon

Edward R. Adwon fell asleep and went to be with the Lord on November 18, 2022. Ed was born to

Ernest and Bessie Adwon on July 26, 1933 in Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from Central High

School in 1951. He served in the USArmy from 1953 to 1955 after which he was honorably discharged.

He was married to Sumya Sleem from October

28, 1955 until her death on February 13, 2018. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BBA in 1957. He proudly graduated from the

University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1960 second in his class. He was in the Order of the Coif and Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity as well as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Fraternity.

Ed was selected for the United States Attorney General’s Honors Program and worked in the Department of Justice Anti-trust Division from 1960 to 1962. After a brief stint in private practice, he worked for the Oklahoma Insurance Commission from 1962-1967 where he became the General Counsel and Assistant Commissioner.

After working for the State, Ed went to work for Conoco Oil Company from 1967 to 1995 holding positions of attorney, general attorney and corporate counsel. During this time, he lived in Ponca City, Oklahoma; Houston, Texas; Westport, Connecticut; Dubai UAE and London, England.

Upon retiring, Ed and Sumya moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where he quickly became a well-known member of the community. He purchased the international pantry from Ed and Mary Jane Haddad and operated the store alongside his wife and daughter-in-law from1998 to 2003. Ed enjoyed working at the store and talking food with friends and strangers alike.

Ed also quickly became very active in the local arts community. Ed was president of the Firehouse Art Center, president and treasurer of the University of Oklahoma Theatre Guild and president of the Performing Arts

Studio. To no one’s surprise, he even served as the chairman of the Firehouse Art Center’s nationally renowned Chocolate Festival. Ed’s influence also extended to local government where he served on the Norman Planning Commission as a member and eventually chairman.

Ed was able to both fulfill a long-time dream and leave a lasting legacy for the community when he became the founding member of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Norman where he served as chairman of the Parish Council.

Ed loved to send his Christmas letters to friends and family and talk about his travels, his health, and “Mr. House”. His letters were a treat and notoriously full of typos! Edward was a very kind, loving and generous man. He became very fond of cats in his later years. He adopted Wally and after Wally’s passing, he adopted Oliver, “Ollie”. The cats gave and received lots of love and companionship. Edward enjoyed photography, was an avid reader and prolific napper. He always enjoyed traveling and meeting new people.

He was preceded in death by his son, Cole Ernest Adwon; his son, William Edward Adwon; his wife Sumya Adwon. He is survived by his nephew George Karam and wife Susan; his nephew, Mike Sleem and wife Jill; his niece Michele Manning; his daughter-in-law, Jocelyn Wall and husband Richard; his close friend, Rosemary Ford and a number of great nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to thank all of those who had helped Ed, especially Mike Bodnar, who was Ed’s close friend and helper for the past ten years.

A viewing and visitation will be on Monday, November 28, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm at Primrose Funeral Home with Trisagion prayers for the departed at 6:30pm. Father Kosmas Morfas will officiate the funeral service on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 10am at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church. A Mercy Meal will follow the funeral service. Burial services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Holy Ascension Church 3350 12th Avenue NE, Norman, OK 73071 in memory of Edward Adwon.