These are notes written by Greig McCully, Ed's friend and employer, immediately after his passing as he was telling friends the terrible news.

Everyone is shocked, filled with remorse that they didn’t see him one more time, and almost every person commented on how quickly this happened. While I am among those that wishes I could have had one more visit and that I had gone a day earlier, I’m also grateful for how quickly it went as a soul so sweet never should have had to go through that much pain and the faster it went the quicker the pain subsided allowing him to go home.

Ed loved his job and he loved working there, he loved people and he loved me, I didn’t deserve him. I am grateful for him though and I’m a better person for having known Ed. I love that Ed was not afraid to be himself and to be sensitive, honest, kind and caring. I have never met another person that took constructive criticism better, no pouting and passive aggressive comments, just wanted to do better. He never said “no” in fact it became a joke with us that literally no matter what I suggested he would instantly reply “I’m in”. I would often reply “of course you are” not really appreciating his complete commitment until it was too late. He continued to apologize to me for getting sick and “letting me down” until 5 days before he left us. Ed never hesitated to help others and he had a deep desire to please. He was all in when it came to his customer presentations, he was actually theatrical about it with no shame, and people loved it. He would follow a customer down the sidewalk to be sure they left with a good impression and he often brought them back to the store even after they had left to talk more and usually buy more. I watched him one time take a customer that was moving to another city and had come in for one last spice and to say good buy walk out spending over $1,000 and him shipping a new grill to the new home in Virginia. I never had a negative comment about Ed over selling product though, they enjoyed him and the process and I think he was so uniquely positive that they enjoyed the experience more than the discomfort of having spent so much. Ed was street smart and he loved to share his knowledge. I took great joy in hearing his latest theory which was often utterly obsurd but he would present it with absolute determination that it was as solid as anything you’ve ever learned. The onion theory was among my favorites, “people are not meant to eat onions, no animal in nature eats onions and we shouldn’t either”, he wouldn’t touch one. I really wish I had written them down more. He was a conspiracy theorist and got all worked up about them, watching for them most evenings after work. He and I discussed politics often and he feared for our country with the division and hate in recent years. Ed did not miss a day of work for well over 2 years usually working 6 days a week. I had to force him to take time off. For his 50th birthday I had to literally pick him up at work and drive him to a fishing guide where we spent the entire day fishing and catching big Stripers in the river. As it turned out that was the last time he went fishing that I know of. He loved the Lord, he loved people, he loved selling, he loved fishing, he loved the outdoors, he loved Jeeps and he adored his mother, his aunt and his brother. He was right about that as well as they are some of the finest people I’ve come to know in many years. In the last year or so he literally spent his time after work and weekends painting his mother’s house and working on it. He and Tripp bought their mother a new car and insisted that she leave her job at Walmart for fear of her getting COVID. They spent every Sunday creating their own church services at home and sharing with each other God’s love and message, Ed wouldn’t consider missing a Sunday with his family. His mother drove him crazy and he loved her deeply. His family doted on Ed every day of this terrible process without a thought for themselves. They rallied around him the moment this started and they were standing there when it ended protecting him and caring for him with complete devotion.

What more could a man ask for?

These are comments made by people when they learned of his passing.

Todd, a builder customer from SC that Ed always enjoyed.

Ed was inspiring. When I walked away from Ed I always felt myself wanting to be more like him. He was exuberant and fun. I think the lesson to learn from Ed is to make the most of every moment but not in the sense that Ed worked too much and didn’t live life to the fullest but rather Ed used every moment to try to help others and do the right thing..that’s the take away.

Chris, co worker

Ed never met a stranger, instead it would only be a friend he was meeting for the first time.

Stephen, a sales rep that called on Ed for years.

He had a servant's heart, always wanted everyone to be fully satisfied.

From my side of the fence, I knew when I took a call from Ed it was something where he had already done all he could for the customer before calling me. And, because it was Ed, I was happy to help.

Sarah, co worker from his auto sales days, she called him Fred which stood for “Fat, round, Ed” it would offend almost anyone but Ed loved it and used it often. Sarah meant it in fondness and it was taken that way.

Yes, we have truly lost a dear friend in Fred. He was one of a kind... a jack of ALL trades.. never met a stranger.. was probably smarter than Alex Trebek.. and would do absolutely anything for anyone. He was one of the best.

What have I learned from my friend Ed?

• Care, for every person you encounter, if they don’t care for you then care anyway..and mean it.

• Be completely honest about who you are, no shame and totally committed.

• Live every moment, live for work, live for fun and live for family but live each moment to the fullest.

• Be “all in” because in a single moment or just a few days..you’ll be out.

Why should you give to Ed's go fund me?

This was sudden, Ed was 50 years old and no one expected this. He started to feel symptoms in mid February and was gone two months later. There was no time to plan, and those that want to help can help the family get through this without as significant a hardship from the medical costs and the funeral costs.

The money will be handled by Ed's brother Tripp Scarborough and will be used only for the expenses that the family has incurred throughout this sudden, traumatic and expensive process. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated. The bills are coming in and the money is needed as soon as you are comfortable giving.