John Edmonds, who authored several books and articles about the history of Redwood City and adjacent communities, has died. His life will be celebrated Friday, July 8, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Carlos.
Books by Edmonds, who passed away on April 8, included “Vanished Towns of San Mateo County” and “The Civil War: Northern California’s Unrecognized Valor.” He also contributed to “Redwood City A Hometown History.” In addition, he wrote many articles for the Journal of Local History, a publication of the history room at Redwood City’s main library. At the time of his death he was the president emeritus of the library’s Archives Committee.
Edmonds was raised in Redwood City, graduated from Sequoia High School, served in the Coast Guard and then graduated from San Jose State. He went on to receive an MA from Notre Dame in Belmont and a PhD from California Southern University.
Among other accomplishments, he served as president of the Historical Union Cemetery Association. He was very active at the cemetery where he nurtured heirloom roses planted in the mid-1800s, led group tours and wrote about historical figures buried in the cemetery off Woodside Road.
Edmonds spent 40 years as a San Mateo County Sheriff’s Deputy. According to family members, he “patrolled every area of San Mateo County with his K9 partner Nerf” and worked as a bailiff in the county courthouse.
Edmonds and his wife, Diana married in 1962. They had three daughters, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
