Kim (K.J.) Allen Edwards, Jr.'s inspirational life began December 3, 1985, at Fairfax Hospital. He lived in Manassas until the age of three, when his family moved to their home of the past fifteen years in Woodbridge, Virginia. He was always on the go…playing baseball and soccer, hunting and fishing, skiing and playing in paintball tournaments. He also loved spending time with his family and friends. K.J. looked forward to the yearly extended family trips to Myrtle Beach where he enjoyed parasailing, jet skiing, bungee jumping and fishing. He loved fishing with his Paw Paw - anytime, anywhere. He was an avid sportsman, from fishing to hunting. He got his love of hunting from his dad. Kim began taking K.J. hunting at the age of six. He used both a rifle and bow, and took First Place in several archery tournaments.

Never one to sit idle or expect a handout, K.J. was always finding new ways to make money. Give the kid a quarter and he could make a buck. He was a deal maker. He was crazy about yard sales-deal central! At yard sales, "Mr. Fix-It" would find all sorts of computers and electronics that he could rebuild. He was a born computer whiz. Working with his cousin Cobb, he set up the computer network for the Town of Occoquan. Much of the money received from the 'Make A Wish Foundation' in November 1999, was put towards computer equipment, a new TV, a trampoline and many other things he could enjoy with his family and many friends. He shared even that gift, giving his sister some of his money to spend on herself and bought paintball guns for his dad and himself.

K.J. loved playing paintball. It was his passion in life. It helped him through many tough times. K.J. began working at Pev's Paintball when he was just 14, refereeing games and working in the shop. He joined the team "Outcast" and traveled throughout the country with his teammates competing in many tournaments. He played this past October in the 2003 World Cup held in Orlando, Florida. K.J.'s family and several close friends accompanied him on this trip. It was his fifth trip to another of his favorite vacation spots - Disneyworld!

Ever the competitor, K.J. challenged himself to be the best at everything he did. He also had a desire to share his knowledge and skills with others, encouraging each person to be their best, providing pointers to anybody and everybody from fishing to paintball. During his many hospital stays he visited other children, helping them through their own difficult times.

K.J. was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in May 1999. He bravely underwent a bone marrow transplant in June 2001. In May 2003, he met his donor, Senior Master Sergeant Chris Stovall, stationed in Guam. The Edwards and Stovall families were happy to adopt each other into their respective lives. Chris's generous donation enabled K.J. to spend more time with his family. K.J. courageously battled with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) for the past two years. He prayed often with his family and grandmother and grew to depend on his faith in God to help him through his illness. Donations made to the 'K.J. Foundation' will go toward researching a cure for cGVHD.

K.J. Edwards leaves behind his loving parents Kim Edwards and Terri Edwards, his loving sister Rachel Edwards, his Grandmothers Louise Ervin and Berry Edwards, and his dog Taz, as well as a very large extended family and many, many friends.