By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FORT MITCHELL - Edmond Lowell Talbott Jr. was dedicated to his career as vice president of operations for Totes-Isotoner Corp. And after being diagnosed with kidney cancer two years ago, his employees showed they, too, were dedicated - to him.

Eventually left unable to walk, co-workers drove him in a golf cart around the large warehouse in West Chester that he helped to develop.

"He loved his job," said his daughter, Jennifer S. Talbott Schneider of Fort Mitchell. Of all the jobs he held over the years, the one at Totes-Isotoner was "the one he was most proud of."

Mr. Talbott died Wednesday at his home in Fort Mitchell of kidney cancer. He was 66.

Devotion didn't stop at his work.

"His first love was his family, especially his grandkids. And he always told us (his children), the best way to make him angry was to upset our mom. He was crazy about her. He was still madly in love with her after 48 years of marriage."

Raised in West Virginia and later in Woodsfield, Ohio, Mr. Talbott graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He became plant manager of Martin Marietta Materials in Wheeling, W.Va.

He later was general manager of Brooks & Perkins in Michigan.

Mr. Talbott moved to Fort Mitchell in 1974 and worked at various companies before accepting the position of vice president of operations for Totes-Isotoner Corp. 12 years ago.

Pivotal in the development in the company's new warehouse in West Chester, he retired this past January.

Mr. Talbott was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 189 and served as a volunteer fireman in Woodsfield. He was also a former member of the Woodsfield Board of Education and was the former president of the Woodsfield Parent Teachers Association.

In addition, he was a former president of the Beechwood Band Boosters in Fort Mitchell and a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church.

Besides his daughter, survivors include his wife, Myrna Kaye Talbott of Fort Mitchell; three sons, Michael C. of Fayetteville, N.C., John M. of Nashville and Joshua of Bloomington, Ind.; daughter, Wendy Kwan of Spokane, Wash.; a sister, Nancy Talbott Semonin of Akron; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, at Linnemann Funeral Home, 30 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger. The service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.

Memorials can be made to American Cancer Society, 6612 Dixie Hwy., Florence KY 41042.

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E-mail: nhamilton@enquirer.com