Last week, Benjamin Edwards III passed away at the age of 77. Mr. Edwards was the longtime CEO of A.G. Edwards, Inc. 
The company became part of Wachovia Securities in 2007, and became a part of Wells Fargo last year.
His great-grandfather, Albert Gallatin Edwards, was the founder of the St. Louis-based brokerage firm. Mr. Edwards joined the firm in 1956 after serving in the U.S. Navy. Ten years later, he was the Managing Partner, then President soon after. In 2001, Mr. Edwards stepped down from day-to-day operations and became Chairman Emeritus.
Under Mr. Edwards' leadership, A.G. Edwards grew to one of the nation's largest investment firms. Equity capital grew from $3.5 million in 1965 to $1.6 billion in 2001. Over that same 36 years, A.G. Edwards grew from 44 offices to nearly 700; from 300 financial consultants to 7,000.
Mr. Edwards established a culture of "client first" at A.G. Edwards, where the Golden Rule became a foundation of business policy. Mr. Edwards was a firm believer as well in making the company a positive place to work. Active in community service and in financial industry affairs, he was married for over 50 years, with four children and 11 grandchildren.
In Mr. Edwards' final letter to shareholders in 2001, he wrote: “I couldn't have scripted a better career...May we always put our clients' interests first, and may we always enjoy our work together.”
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