Biography: Edward John Erxleben, age 77, died on October 2, 2011. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on December 15, 1933, he was the son of Edward and Eve Erxleben. Upon graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning his service during the Korean War. Edward married Gwyneth Vera Atkinson on September 3, 1954, after a whirlwind romance. The couple traveled extensively throughout Edward?s military career, living in such diverse locales as South Dakota, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Texas, California, Mississippi, Wisconsin, New York and Great Britain. Edward was selected for the USAF Officer Candidate School and commissioned Lieutenant in 1961. He was a Guidance Office in the Atlas Missile Program in Nebraska and was a Launch Enabling Officer in the Titan Missile Program at the Little Rock Air Force Base. He later served both the Titan and Minuteman systems. In his military career, he worked on both public and classified programs and was instrumental in exploring and developing private inventions and developments for military application. He was a distinguished war veteran who volunteered to serve in the Viet Nam War, explaining that it was his duty as a soldier. During his service, Edward became a licensed pilot, enjoying the adventure, freedom and occasional mishap of flight, generating material for hours upon hours of good stories. Upon his retirement in 1972 from the Air Force as a Major with two commendation medals, Edward moved his family back to Little Rock, where he joined the Purchasing Department of the Department of Finance and Administration of the State of Arkansas. He later moved to the Purchasing Department of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In 1981, he was appointed Director of State Purchasing by Governor Frank White. He held this position until his retirement in 2000, serving at the pleasure of four governors representing both political parties. He was a mentor to many and the epitome of integrity to all who knew him. The community of public servants with whom Edward worked at local, state, national and even international levels recognized him as a leader in ethical behavior, sensible practices and public service. As a family man, Edward was active at home and in the activities and interests of his family. Edward shared his passion for British sports cars, a good game of chess, a fine glass of wine, an exciting football game, an excellent book, a day of fishing or hunting, the use and care of a well-crafted firearm, and a purposefully stocked tool chest, with his daughters, his grandchildren and close friends. Mr. Erxleben is survived by Gwyneth Erxleben, his wife of fifty-seven years; daughter, Laurie Diane Cain; daughter, Jennifer Rogers; six grandchildren, Jonathan W. Cain, Kelly Cain, and Reagan Cain, and Paul Rogers, III, Edward ?Jack? Rogers, and Henry ?Hank? Rogers; brother Robert (Lanie) Erxleben of Keller, Texas; and sister, Betty (Frank) Gasiorowski, of Watchung, New Jersey. A memorial service will be held at St. Margaret?s Episcopal Church ((501-821-1311), 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas on October 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm. With gratitude, the family requests that, if friends are so moved, memorials be made to Baptist Health Foundation, directed to the foundation?s Heart Program, Hospice program or the Rehabilitation Institute, 9601 Interstate 630, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 (www.baptist?health.org/give/about), or to St. Margaret?s Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.