Edwin Ed Baird Wainscott

Edwin Ed Baird Wainscott, age 55, passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2009, surrounded by family and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer. Ed’s beloved mother, Mary Jane, preceded him in death. Ed is survived by his wife, Kathy; his three sons, Matthew, Maxwell and Michael; his father, Wayne; his sisters, Teresa Wainscott and Jayne Bob Stommel; and his brothers, Dennis Carol Wainscott and Samuel Barb Wainscott. Ed grew up in Frankfort, Indiana and often fondly recalled memories of his passion for long distance running, hanging out in the family’s renovated garage with his friends, hunting with his best friend and brother Denny, and “bank catting” near the Page’s river house in the summer. Upon graduation from Frankfort High School, Ed had multiple opportunities to pursue both athletic and academic scholarships. He accepted an academic scholarship to DePauw University where he graduated with honors in 1975, and received his Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law in 1978. Ed clerked for Senator Richard Lugar R, IN and at Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis, IN where he began his long and storied legal career in 1978. While working on a case based in Phoenix, Ed fell in love with the desert. He was admitted to the Arizona State Bar in 1984 and practiced law at Quarles & Brady, LLP for the past 25 years. A widely recognized expert on the First Amendment and defamation law and a nationally recognized expert on the direct sales industry, Ed was defined by his integrity, intelligence, loyalty, generosity, passion and humor. Ed was very devoted to his family and, among many other activities, coached his sons’ basketball and baseball teams for 13 years and created a home where his sons and their friends always wanted to hang out. He generously contributed to charities too numerous to list, ardently supported the Suns and Diamondbacks, and created a sense of community wherever he went. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. Ed will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m. in the Paradise Garden at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Desert Botanical Garden, In Memory of Edwin Wainscott, c/o Kirstin Sharp, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008.