Ultimate sportsman John Edmunds passes, age 93

The ultimate sportsman embarked on his most adventurous journey, February 1, 2023, at the age of 93. John Edmunds, well known in harness racing and loved by many, passed away in Vero Beach, Florida surrounded by life-long friends.

John was a third-generation horseman, born to Leroy and Mildred Edmunds, in New London, New Hampshire. He drove his first race at Windsor Fair, Maine in 1945 and later that same week scored his first win.

John’s promising harness racing career was put on hold when he joined the Army’s 82^nd Airborne (1951-1954) as a paratrooper and jumpmaster. A Korean War vet, honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class, John was proud of his service to his country. He remembered his years as a paratrooper by taking his last jump at age 85 to celebrate his birthday.

John resumed his harness racing career in Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1954, training with Frank Safford and Earle Avery prior to opening his own public stable in 1955 at the age of 24. Edmunds Stable in Pinehurst, North Carolina was by all measures large and successful. Training and wintering his horses in Pinehurst, John spent the race season at tracks such as Monticello, Yonkers, Roosevelt Raceway in New York and later the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey. Over the duration of his career, the horses he trained and raced would break world records and secure millions in earnings for their owners.

In his free time John enjoyed golf, was an avid deep-sea fisherman and life-long RV enthusiast, splitting his time between Vero Beach and Pinehurst in his later years.

John is survived by his daughter, Susan (Bob) Baer; brother, Tad Edmunds; grandsons, Brenton and Ryan, as well as many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Mildred; wife, Virginia Garner Edmunds; son, John Jr.; second wife, Billie Thomas; and his sister Lucille.

John will be honored at the Pinehurst Matinee Races in April with a race dedicated to his memory. He will be laid to rest in Pinehurst, North Carolina beside his wife and son. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date.

Memorials can be made in his honor to the charity of one’s choice.

by Susan (Edmunds) Baer, for the USHRAA