The story of Eddie Sheldrake is also a story about the love and impact of his wife in every chapter of his life.
Harvey Edward “Eddie” Sheldrake Jr. built a remarkable career that seamlessly transitioned from collegiate basketball stardom to successful entrepreneurship.
Standing at just 5 feet 9 inches, Sheldrake defied expectations on the basketball court, earning honorable mention as an All-American during his senior year at UCLA in 1951.
Under the legendary coach John Wooden, he captained the Bruins to three consecutive Southern Division titles and set records with his exceptional scoring ability, including a memorable 38-point performance against Stanford that broke the Southern Division record.
After graduating from UCLA, Sheldrake continued his basketball career in the Amateur Athletic Union, leading Los Angeles Kirby’s Shoes to an undefeated season in the Far West AAU.
His athletic achievements later earned him induction into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000, cementing his legacy in collegiate sports history.
Beyond basketball, Sheldrake demonstrated equally impressive business acumen.
After working as a furniture salesman, he partnered with his brother Don to open their first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Belmont Shore, California, in 1965.
By 1971, they owned ten KFC locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Their entrepreneurial vision expanded in 1968 when they established Polly’s Pies, which grew into a beloved chain of over a dozen restaurants known for their delicious pies and comfort food throughout Southern California.
With His Wife, Eddie Sheldrake Raised Eight Children
Eddie Sheldrake’s personal life was marked by both love and loss.
As a college freshman in 1948, he married his first wife, Lois Crum, who was studying at Pepperdine University at the time.
Their young marriage flourished as Eddie built his basketball career at UCLA under Coach John Wooden.
Together, they welcomed four children—two sons and two daughters—building a family while Eddie established himself as a basketball star.
Tragically, their marriage was cut short when Lois died of cancer in 1959, leaving Sheldrake a widower with four young children.
Despite this devastating personal loss, Eddie continued to care for his family while developing his business career.
As per sources, Eddie later remarried, though details about his second wife remain limited in public documentation.
This second marriage appears to have been significant in both his personal and professional life.
By 1968, when the Sheldrake brothers were establishing Polly’s Pies, Eddie’s wife at that time played a meaningful role in the business’s development.
According to company history, the name “Polly’s” was suggested in honor of their manager’s newborn daughter, with Eddie’s wife supporting this charming origin story for what would become a Southern California institution.
This second marriage brought four more children into Eddie’s life, bringing his total to eight children.
As Polly’s Pies empire grew throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, so did Eddie’s family, eventually including 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Family values clearly stood at the heart of both Eddie’s personal life and business philosophy.
The Polly’s Pies brand itself reflects these values, with its emphasis on comfort food, community connection, and family tradition.
Even after Eddie’s passing on May 8, 2025, at the age of 98, his family continues to honor his legacy.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Eddie Sheldrake served in the Navy as an aviation mechanic before enrolling at UCLA in 1947.
- He was particularly close friends with his high school teammate Jerry Norman, whom he persuaded to choose UCLA over other NCAA Division I offers, and later helped reconcile Norman with Coach Wooden after a disciplinary incident.
- Eddie Sheldrake was awarded the Caddy Works award as UCLA’s most inspirational player and received the Glendale Bruin club award as the team’s outstanding senior in 1951.
