Clyde Edmonds

Clyde George Edmonds Jr, 83, passed away peacefully Friday May 24, 2024, at his home in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Better known to family and friends as Butch, he was born December 11, 1940 in Dallas, IA to Maude Hanna Madeline Edmonds and Clyde George Edmonds Sr. He attended East High School prior to enlisting in the Army.

After his enlistment he pursued his professional singing career. He performed on the famed Center Street in Des Moines and other clubs across the state of Iowa. In the 1960s he formed a group called the Extensions, performing with the Temptations, Ohio Players and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in Cleveland Ohio. In the late 60's he traveled to California and Las Vegas to perform. Buck Ram hired him as the front man for the Soul Patrol as the opening act for the Platters, performing at the legendary Flamingo in Las Vegas. In the 70's his band, The New Establishment opened for James Brown at the RKO Theater in Des Moines. He and Etta James recorded "Foolish Fools" with Grant Records and toured with the Bobby Marchan Show

performing in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida. In the late 70's he performed on the Gong Show singing the song he wrote, "Get Up, Get Down".

He was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in October 2021. It was a very special night for him.

Butch was very proud to be self-employed. In 1992, he opened his own auto shop, CE Brake and Alignment in Gardena, CA. He decided to retire 10 years later so he could spend more time doing his favorite activities – bowling and tennis.

He is greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Dee (Faurote) Edmonds; his children Shawn Edmonds of Torrance CA, and Melodee Edmonds of Torrance, CA; and his granddaughters, Makayla Edmonds and Justice Carr both of Torrance, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Cathleen Buckner and Charlene Burrell; and two brothers, Tim Edmonds and Bill Dixon. He is survived by his sisters Darlene Edmonds, Nadine Cole and Teresa Dixon; and his brothers Mike Edmonds and Terry Edmonds; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.