TRIBUTES are flowing in as the region mourns the loss of one of the giants of retail, respected business leader Tom Edwards.

The Edwards family said he passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, the day after celebrating his 87th birthday.

Starting out as an apprentice electrician in the family business, Tom would go on to become General Manager of R.T. Edwards & Sons, building the business to a chain of more than a dozen stores across Queensland and interstate, and employing more than 400 staff.

R.T. Edwards had an annual turnover of $100 million in 2008 when the business was sold.

Tom’s father Roy started a door-to-door electrical repair business after being retrenched from Queensland Railways in 1931. From these beginnings, Roy and his brothers Allan and Mervyn started to sell electrical goods.

The original R.T. Edwards store was located beside the Wintergarden Theatre in East Street, Ipswich. In 1952 the company moved to a new showroom at 56 East Street and then to the old Streets Cake Shop at 66 East Street.

In 1969, R.T. Edwards opened their first electrical appliance store at Booval Fair. Other stores opened in Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Gatton, Redbank Plaza and Beaudesert.

In 1978, they opened a furniture showroom in South Street.

Ipswich leaders paid tribute to Mr Edwards, remembering him for his contribution to the community.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said Mr Edwards was a business leader who contributed enormously to his community.

“Sad news with the passing of Ipswich icon Tom Edwards. Tom was a great communitarian and involved in so many areas,” Mr Neumann said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ivy and all the family.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Mr Edwards was a true community champion.

“Tom was a true stalwart of Ipswich and gave to so many,” she said.

Mr Edwards’ grandson, Member for the Gold Coast state seat of Bonney, Sam O’Connor, posted a touching tribute on social media.

“My grandad … lived a long and beautiful life,” he said. “Papa was hardworking, humble, kind and very cheeky. He was determined to achieve what he set his mind to and always did everything he could to help people.

“Some of my earliest memories are following behind him on the sales floor, learning from how he’d interact with customers.

“Papa always carried a small notebook and a pen in his top pocket. Even when he moved into aged care with my grandma a couple of years ago, he still had his little notebook. One day, I noticed it sitting on the table. I was curious about what was so important about this book so I had a look what was inside it.

“Alongside assorted contact numbers and reminders scribbled on the pages, he had this printed on a worn piece of paper inside the front cover:

• Customer Service is...

Doing all the LITTLE things you’re not paid to do, to delight the customer.

• Acknowledging

Smile - Wave - Eye Contact

• Greeting

Hello, Good morning/afternoon Are you just looking around?

• Serving

Additional or Replacement?

Are you interested in ...

• Customers want to feel IMPORTANT.

“He was all about people, dedicated to serving his customers and his community.

No matter how busy he was, Papa always made time for his family. He will be greatly missed by all of us but especially by our Mama, his wife Ivy, after their 64 years of marriage.”