Longtime SMAC member Edgar “Ed” Owens passed away on January 25, 2007, after a brief illness.  Ed was the Deputy Assessor of Sumter County and represented the SC Association of Assessing Officials (SCAAO) as a voting member on SMAC.  Ed was appointed as SMAC Parliamentarian in 1982, and served in that capacity for 25 years until his death.  Ed was also elected SMAC Chairman in 1989.  During his tenure as Chairman, many governmental mapping entities in South Carolina were experiencing the transition into a digital environment.  SMAC subcommittees sponsored several workshops during Ed’s chairmanship including: a workshop for users of National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) products; a workshop for county property mappers; and three state plane coordinate workshops for the surveying community.  Although not a “hands-on” GIS expert, Ed was constantly pushing for modernization of county land records in Assessor’s offices throughout the state, and his own county of Sumter recently developed a parcel level GIS.

 Ed was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, the Sumter County Gamecock Club and the Sumter Lion’s Club.  He is survived by his wife, two children, two grandchildren and many friends. 

 Those associated with SMAC remember his willingness to serve, contribute and support – all for the advancement of mapping in South Carolina. We are encouraged by all the champions of mapping he interacted with and fostered throughout his career.