Edward J. “Ed” Tarver was born on July 22, 1959 at Fort Hood, Tx. He was the third child of Maye A. and Sargent First Class Luther E. Tarver. He was born into a military family, but spent his formative years in Augusta.

Ed graduated from Glenn Hills High School in 1977, where he was a standout lineman for the Spartan football team. He went on to attend Morehouse College on a football scholarship.  After one year, Ed decided to hang up his cleats and returned home to attend Augusta College.  While at Augusta College, Ed pledged to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, was Chair of the Student Union, President of the Black Student Union, and was commissioned through the ROTC program.  After graduation, Ed began his service in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He attained the rank of Captain and served until his honorable discharge in 1989.  During his last year of service, Ed decided to follow a dream cultivated in high school–he entered law school at Oklahoma City University as a night student.  He later transferred to and earned his law degree from his beloved University of Georgia School of Law.

Ed began his legal career as a federal clerk to the Honorable Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. As his friend and law partner, it was obvious to me how much Judge Bowen affected Ed not only in his law practice but also in his daily life. They remained in close contact for the 30-plus years of Ed’s legal career.

Following his clerkship, Ed joined the firm now known as Hull Barrett, rising to become a partner. During his time at Hull Barrett, Ed also served as the State Senator for Georgia’s 22nd district.  While in the legislature, Ed had a reputation as someone who could work with others, whether in the same party or across the aisle. He was instrumental in legislation that restructured the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, restructured the State Courts of Richmond County, established the Georgia Trauma Care Network and Georgia Trauma Trust Fund, and legislation ensuring children with disabilities received medically necessary therapy services.

Ed was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the first African American United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, coming full circle to the place where his legal career began.  Following his term as U.S. Attorney, he joined me as my partner in the firm we continue to call Enoch Tarver in memory of his contributions. While at Enoch Tarver, Ed had a well-deserved reputation for taking on tough cases and for offering pro bono services for those in need.

Ed took pride in serving his local and statewide community.  He served as Chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Leadership Georgia Foundation, Chairman of the Leadership Augusta Board, President of the Academy of Richmond County Boosters Club, Chairman of the St. Johns’ Towers Advisory Board, President of the Augusta Technical College Board of Directors, President of the East Georgia Easter Seals Society, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Day School.

Ed was an active member of Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Mu Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Exchange Club of Augusta, and served on the Boards of Directors of First Community Bank and University Hospital.

Ed Tarver was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved practicing law, but more than that he loved his wife, Dr. Carol Thompson Tarver, and his children Eddie, Elizabeth, Riley and Ryan. During their courtship and marriage, Ed and Carol divided their church attendance between Ed’s home church of Doyle Grove Baptist Church, and Carol’s church, St. Marks United Methodist Church. It did not matter what church Ed attended or whether he was a member, he was always looked to as a leader in the congregation. In truth, that happened to Ed wherever he was involved. He was a natural leader and never shied away from taking on those roles.

His voice could boom—whether in conflict with opposing counsel or in conversation with friends. His sense of humor was so very dry, it was frequently hard to know if he was joking until you saw the expression on his face. He loved to engage his waiter or waitress by asking them some personal question or pretending to be unhappy about something, just to get a reaction.  At the same time, he would come back from a day spent at Heritage Academy teaching young people how to interact with adults and have the biggest smile on his face. Mentoring young interns and summer associates in our firm gave him great satisfaction and contributed significantly to these young people’s development. He kept in touch with many of them long after their time at our firm was over.

Edward J. Tarver was a great friend and a great partner, and he is sorely missed.