Mr. Edwin Raymond Balsley age 76 of North Pine Rd. Ellijay died December 16, 2013.Mr. Balsley was born April 25,1937 in San Pedro, CA the son of the late Edwin Maxie and Eula Faye Balsley. He received a Bachelors Degree, served in the National Guard and played Pro Football for the San Diego Chargers. Later he was a Top Executive for IBM for 25 years. While there he was named Man of the Year on 2 occasions. After moving to Ellijay he was a member of First United Methodist, worked with the Gilmer Learning Center and with the jail helping adults to receive their GED. He volunteered to read in the elementary schools and was in involved in the founding of the “Kid Cottage”. Later he worked as a Teacher and Facilitator in Anger Management with Renew Counseling of North Georgia. Along with many other accomplishments, he will long be remembered for his compassion for others, his quick wit, intelligence and sense of humor which made Raymond an all around “Nice Guy“. All who knew him were blessed to have him in their lives.

Survivors include wife Katherine Balsley and host of other friends also survive.

Mon services are planned.

Bernhardt Funeral Home supplied the obituary and was in charge of arrangements.