Edward Vanuxem Wurts III, 87, of Ventura, California, passed away peacefully at home on October 12, 2026. Ed was born in Brooklyn, New York to Edward Vanuxem Wurts, Jr. and Kathlyn Frances Wurts (nee Ansbro) on June 21, 1939. He attended Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York, graduating in 1957.
Ed’s life was always one of service. After a year at Seton Hall University, he received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduating with the Class of 1962, he began a career as a surface warfare officer. He served during the Vietnam War and held a variety of assignments over the course of his twenty years of service. His Pacific deployments included duty as chief engineer aboard two ammunition ships, as well as overseas assignments in the Philippines and Japan. In Japan, he served as Officer in Charge of the Defense Mapping Agency. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander and went on to a second career as a database analyst with First Interstate Bank, and other banking, software and mortgage companies, and the last decade of his career was with the County of Ventura.
Ed enjoyed spending time with his family, especially California camping trips to the Redwoods, and really long road trips, sightseeing along the way. He was very involved in the kids’ sports, even as a soccer referee and videographer of high school football games.
Ed’s Catholic Faith formed his character and gave him great joy. He was very involved in Parish activities, ministries, retreats, prayer groups and pro-life work. He has touched many lives, even during his battles with illness by being such a “gentle” soul.
His marriage was of prime importance. He never removed his wedding ring in 53 years of marriage, and constantly reminded Elizabeth of how much he loved her. He has four children, Andrew Wurts (wife Lindsey) of Ventura, Theresa Shields (husband John) of Bakersfield, Catherine Maier (husband Ryan) of Rockford, Michigan, and Annette Baldwin (husband Ron) of Ventura, and six grandchildren, Bernadette, Felicity, Daniel, Jedidiah, Matthew, and Hannah. He is survived by his two siblings, Kath Wurts and Jack Wurts, both of Ventura, He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Kathlyn Wurts.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caregivers from Devoted Care of Camarillo and Mission Hospice.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to be held Wednesday October 21, 2026 from 5 to 8pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura, where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:30pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Thursday October 22, 2026 in Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 3175 E. Telegraph Road Ventura. Interment will be Friday October 23, 2026 with Military Honors at 12 noon at Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery, Oxnard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Life Choices Pregnancy Clinic of Ojai Valley, 1320 Maricopa Highway, Suite C, Ojai, CA 93023; Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.