Edgar P. Israel

Edgar P. "Ed" Israel, 78, died December 15, 2012. A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Lane B. and Ardie P. Israel. Israel's high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Matilda Maney "Till" Israel, died in 2003. Israel was a Korean War veteran spending two years on active duty and five years in the North Carolina National Guard. He continued his education following active duty receiving an associate's degree from Brevard College, a B.S. degree in Education from Western Carolina University and completed work in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Tennessee. In 1966, Israel was appointed state director of Public Assistance and Social Services for the North Carolina State Commission for the blind. As state director, he was responsible for the delivery of public assistance and social and medical services through case workers for the blind in all N.C. counties. Returning to Western North Carolina, Israel was employed by the Haywood County Department of Social services, eventually serving seventeen years with the department, fourteen of which as Director. Leaving Social Services, Israel was appointed the first county manager for Transylvania County, a position he held until tapped to serve as the District Field Representative for then Congressman Lamar Gudger. Following the Congressman's defeat in 1980, Israel was appointed as Regional Manager for the Ashville Regional Office of the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development. In 1985, Israel was appointed as the Executive Director for Western North Carolina Tomorrow, a 19 county citizen's leadership organization based at Western Carolina University. Israel retired from Western Carolina University in 1992 after completing 32 years of public service. Israel has been a member of the Brevard First United Methodist for the last 36 years. He was a forty-seven year Master Mason and a York Rite Mason and was a member of the Dunn's Rock Masonic Lodge at the time of his death. Israel was also a member of the Transylvania Democrat Men's Club. Israel served two terms as President of the Transylvania County Social Services Board until retiring earlier this year. Israel is survived by a son, John M. Israel of Atlanta, a daughter Sherri Israel Scott of Atlanta, son in law David Scott and two beloved grandchildren, Spencer and Zander Scott. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Brevard. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Brevard First United Methodist Church or to the Transylvania Community Hospital Hospice.