Edwin Osborne McFather, Jr., 88, of Canton, Georgia, died at his residence on August 2, 2026.

Ed was born August 17, 1937, in Bremen, Georgia, to Edwin O. McFather, Sr., and Margarette Hughes McFather and moved to Canton as a child. He graduated from Darlington School in Rome and attended Emory at Oxford before transferring first to West Georgia College and then to University of Georgia, where he was a Sigma Nu.

Ed spent his career in banking, having graduated from the Georgia School of Banking and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Before returning to Canton, he worked for C&S Bank in Atlanta. He joined the Bank of Canton in 1965 and was named president in 1977, succeeding his father. In 1990, he was named chief executive officer, and in 1992, he became chairman and CEO, serving in that capacity until his retirement.

Ed was active in local civic affairs for decades, serving as a member of the Canton Water Commission, the Canton Housing Authority, the Cherokee County Recreation Authority, the Cherokee County Hospital Authority, and the Canton Jaycees, among others. He also was a charter member of the Canton Moose Club and a longtime member of the Canton Game and Fish Club.

An avid outdoorsman, Ed loved to hunt and fish with his friends. He raised cattle, rode and showed horses, and loved many dogs – both hunting dogs and lapdogs – over the years. Always the adventurer, he earned his private pilot’s license at age 70 and flew for seven years. He also traveled extensively and enjoyed relaxing with a good book, a good drink, and his wife and family.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert McFather; and his daughter, Sarah McFather. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Williams McFather; his daughter, Kate McFather Rugani (Luke); his son-in-law, Danny Wasserman (Sarah); his stepson, Flipper McDaniel; his grandchildren Olive Rugani, Julia Rugani, Joshua Rugani, Benjamin Wasserman, and Etta McDaniel; and his sister, Ann Fincher (Jack).

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12:00pm until the funeral hour. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any tax-deductible donations in memory of Ed McFather be made to the Riverview Cemetery Association to help maintain the grounds. Checks may be sent to Riverview Cemetery Association ℅ Cliff Owen, 136 Breeze Hill Lane, Canton, GA 30114. To give online via Zelle, please visit https://www.riverviewcemeterycanton.org/contact. Please include contact information if a donation receipt is requested.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Edwin O. McFather Jr..