Edward Karns Sales was born in Lenawee County, Michigan on April 11, 1892. During his youth, he lived with his family in Tecumseh, Michigan. Sales graduated from Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in 1916 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. During World War I, he served as a veterinarian in the U.S. Army, with a rank of First Lieutenant.

Following the war, Sales moved to East Lansing, Michigan. He was hired by Michigan Agricultural College in 1920 as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Medicine in Veterinary Medicine. By 1950 he was director of the Small Animal Clinic. He retired circa 1957. According to the Faculty Directories, Sales was Head Emeritus.

Sales married Marion McOwan circa 1920-1921. McOwan was born July 17, 1890 in New Jersey. She served as an Army Corps nurse during World War I. The Sales had a daughter named Jane D., born August 18, 1921. Jane married John W. Coffman (April 8, 1919-February 11, 1983) in Lansing, Michigan, on May 3, 1947.

Edward Sales died on his birthday, April 11, 1970, and was buried in Deepdale Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan. Marion Sales died May 13, 1983, and was interred next to her husband.