Edwin F. (Ret.) Col. Cavaleri

Col. Edwin F. Cavaleri (Ret.)

Evans, GA – Col. Edwin R. Cavaleri of Evans, GA, born May 2, 1927 in East Point, GA, died on November 14, 2013 at Brandon Wilde.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Rae Minick Cavaleri; daughter, Pendy Cavaleri Bowers and husband Emmett W. Bowers of Tifton, GA, granddaughter, Kate Berryman and husband Jay Berryman of Athens, GA, grandson, Dr. Worth Bowers and wife Ashley Bowers of Valdosta, GA, four great grandchildren, Ellie Bowers, Emma Bowers, Bo Berryman, and Mack Bowers.

Col. Cavaleri grew up and attended public schools in Atlanta, GA. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. He was a graduate of Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce. He was the president of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha, and a member of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1976. He served with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam. Other assignments while in the Army included: Comptroller, U.S. Army Fort Gordon; Operations Research Analyst, Office of the Comptroller of the Army; Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management; Executive Officer for the Director of the Army Budget; Special Project Comptroller in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and the Director of Finance and Accounting for U.S. Army Forces Command. Military awards include: The Legion of Merit Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He received his Parachutist Badge from the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, and was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

He moved to Columbia County in 1977 and was affiliated with Intermed Systems, Inc. for fourteen years. He was on the Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission for four years and served as Chairman in 1989. He had also been an active member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce serving as the Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee in 1990, on the Board of Directors from 1991 until 1994, and on the Executive Committee.

He was the recipient of the regional volunteer award of the year in 1990 from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association while assisting in therapeutic and recreational horseback riding.

Col. Cavaleri and his wife resided at Brandon Wilde Life Care Community where he served as Chairman of the Resident Council and on the Board of Directors from March 2005 until March 2007.

Col. Cavaleri will be honored with a service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

If so desired, please make memorials to Blue Ribbon Riders, 987 Reynolds Farm Rd., Grovetown, GA 30813 or Presbyterian College, 503 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325.