Sergeant Edward Alan Polk, II, 29, went home to Glory on Monday, June 19, 2023.

Edward was born in Dayton, Ohio at Saint Elizabeth Hospital on August 20, 1993. He was the beloved, youngest son of Veronica Goodman and only child of Edward Polk, Sr. At the age of six, Edward moved with his family to Akron, Ohio. He attended Firestone High School where he played football for four years and was given several awards for his performance.

Edward was a beloved child of God. He accepted Jesus the Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at The House of the Lord church in Akron, Ohio. As the scripture says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

­Edward joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from High School in 2011, serving from August 2011 to July 2016. He obtained the title of Aviation Supply Specialist for Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 12, inclusive of being the Database Manager of their supply system. He received several meritorious awards during his 5-year term in the Marines.

During his time of service, Edward received several certificates for First Class scores in Tactical Combat Fitness. He also received Letters of Appreciation for volunteering in Iwakuni, Japan on the KinTai Bridge cleanup and volunteering in Katherine, Australia to enhance the special relationship between their citizens and the Marine Corps. Edward wanted to make a positive contribution to the world. In 2013, he volunteered at the Harvest Festival to support Marines and their families. He also volunteered at the Iwakuni, Japan Wilson’s Auction, raising thousands of dollars of scholarship money for active-duty military dependents graduating High School. He was a generous, caring young man to those he met in need.

After returning home, Edward enrolled in the Hamrick School of Truck Driving, receiving his certification and Ohio Commercial Driver’s License in only 2 months, which began his career as a long-haul, interstate truck driver. When he became a father to twins, Briella and Xavier, Edward decided to make a change in his career. Instead of being gone for days and weeks at a time, he sought employment that would allow him to work full-time closer to home. He was employed as a driver with Lowes in Fairlawn, Ohio and later worked for Cardinal in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Preceding him in death were his paternal grandmother, Elnora Polk; paternal grandfather, Lynn Polk; and brother, Chauncy George.

Edward leaves to cherish his memory, mother, Veronica (Ronald) Goodman; father, Edward Alan (Stacey) Polk Sr.; son, Xavier Shropshire-Polk; daughter, Briella Shropshire-Polk; brother, Charles George Jr.; maternal grandmother, Dionette Baker; maternal grandfather, Ronald Appleberry; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.