Ed was born the youngest child of five in a military family on Camp Lejeune, NC. He spent his youth growing up on various Marine bases on the east and west coasts with several stints in Texas, the family's home state.  Ed graduated from Nolan High School in 1976 and from North Texas State University in 1981 with a degree in Radio, TV and Film.

Being naturally garrulous and gifted with a deep and rich resonant voice, Ed struck out to become a DJ at an Abilene radio station. After a few years with the vagaries of the radio market, he switched to the television market where he found his niche and ultimately stayed for the rest of his life.  He worked mainly in the Fort Worth-Dallas metroplex with a few stints in Abilene, Oklahoma City and Miami markets. Ed loved his work and the split second precision required to successfully direct a network news show.  He also liked to keep the work atmosphere light with a seemingly endless supply of puns, jokes and witticisms.

While in Abilene Ed fell in love, married Gayle Lehde and joyfully accepted loving and raising her two children Valerie and Rusty. In his last decade, they parted ways but his step-daughter, Valerie stayed with Ed and cared for him during his recent illness.

Ed was a generous trusting man, willing to open his home to friends who were in between jobs, apartments or just needed a place to stay.

Ed is survived by his step-daughter, Valerie Warman and her son Morgan; his sisters, Barbara Wilson, Elizabeth Nicholson and Kathy Herrington; his brother, Arthur (Bob) Petersen.