Julius Edel was born on September 24. 1929, in Savannah, Georgia, to Herman and Riette Edel. Danyse Greenwald was born on May 28, 1931, in Macon, Georgia, to Herbert and Dorothy Greenwald.

Julius attained the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Savannah High School and the University of Georgia, where he lettered on the swim team and served as president of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. Danyse graduated from Miller High School in Macon before attending Briarcliff Manor and then the University of Georgia. Julius and Danyse married in 1952. They had two children, Cathy Edel Solomons and Kenneth Michael Edel.

After graduation from UGA, Julius joined the US Air Force, where he flew 100 missions during the Korean conflict. Danyse taught elementary school in four different states while Julius was serving in the military.

After his discharge from active duty, they settled in Savannah, where Julius joined his father in the family business, Alexander Brothers, where he led the company from a manufacturer of overalls for farmers to a modern blue jeans manufacturer. Danyse helped establish the Art Department at Savannah Country Day School (SCDS), where she taught for many years. She and Julius eventually created an endowment for the SCDS Art Department. She also taught at the Telfair Museum, the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA), Crittendon Home for Girls, Benedictine Military Academy, and the Savannah Science Museum.

Julius served as president of the Savannah Rotary Club and Congregation Mickve Israel, and chair of the Chatham Club Board of Directors. He also served on the boards of the Savannah Bank, Candler Hospital, Trust Company Bank, Housing Authority of Savannah, Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the JEA, Savannah Symphony Society, and many others.

Danyse and Julius founded the Edel Caregiver Institute at Hospice Savannah. Danyse served as president of the Savannah Symphony Women’s Guild, Royce Learning Center, Crittendon Home for Girls, and on the boards of the Savannah Symphony and SCDS. She taught Sunday School at Congregation Mickve Israel, where she and Julius were lifelong members.

Unable to travel much while raising a family and supporting Julius’ career, Danyse and Julius made up for lost time upon his retirement, traveling the world, collecting art, and making new friends wherever they went.

Danyse Edel died February 28, 2023, at age 91. Julius Edel died September 22, 2023, at age 93. They are buried in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.

The Julius and Danyse Edel Fund at the Georgia Historical Society was created in 2023 by Cathy and Philip Solomons, ensuring that Julius’s and Danyse’s support of Georgia history will continue in perpetuity.