Julius Edel

Julius Edel was born to Herman and Riette Edel in Savannah on September 24, 1929 and passed peacefully at home on September 22, 2023. Julius grew up on 49th Street at a time when most of the area south of that was still undeveloped woodlands. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and attended the local public schools. After graduation from Savannah High School, he attended the University of Georgia where lettered on the university’s swim team, served as President of Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity, and balanced his time between his studies and dating Danyse Greenwald.

Upon graduation, they began what was to become a 71-year marriage and Julius entered his military service to the United States Air Force, where he flew 100 missions during the Korean conflict. Upon discharge, Julius joined his father in the family business, Alexander Brothers, where he lead the company from a manufacturer of overalls for farmers to a modern blue jeans manufacturer both with its own proprietary brand “Blue Steel” and serving as sub-contractor for some of the large national companies.

Throughout his distinguished business career, Julius also served his community in many outstanding capacities; being President of the Savannah Rotary Club and Congregation Mickve Israel and Chairman of the Chatham Club Board of Directors. Julius also served on the boards of directors of The Savannah Bank, Candler Hospital, Trust Company Bank, Housing Authority of Savannah, Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Jewish Educational Alliance, Savannah Symphony Society, Savannah Community Foundation, Hebrew Union College and others.

In addition to his personal service, Julius, along with Danyse, was also generously philanthropic. Their donations helped create The Edel Caregiver Institute at Hospice Savannah and an endowment for the arts at Savannah Country Day School. Other significant philanthropies included: the Savannah Community Foundation, Congregation Mickve Israel, The Telfair Museums, and many others.

Upon retirement, Julius and Danyse were able to indulge their long-delayed desire to travel and saw much of the world together, making lasting friendships along the way and collecting glass and other artworks; some of which they donated to the Telfair Museums.

Julius was predeceased by Danyse, son Kenneth, and sisters Helen Udell and Virginia Rothbaum. He is survived by daughter Cathy Solomons (Philip), granddaughters Delia Solomons (Adam Shapiro), Danyse Cail (Matt), Claire Musial (Paul) and Lauren Gaspard (Christopher), as well as eight great-grandchildren and many devoted nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful to his wonderful caregivers Janice Oglestree, Sonya Green, Deedra Thomas, Wanda Ward, Mel Fireall, Mylene Mintz, and Lovelace Young, with the attentive support of Hospice Savannah.

The funeral will be graveside at Bonaventure Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2023, Rabbi Robert Haas presiding. In lieu of flowers, remembrances might be made to the charity of your choice.

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