John Charles Hedberg

John Charles Hedberg, Phoenix attorney and former President/CEO of Sea Ray Boats, Inc. Born June 27, 1933 in St Paul, Minnesota, to William and Esther Hedberg, the youngest of their nine children. Died at the age of 71 on September 10, 2004 in Phoenix. B.S. with distinction and J.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1955 and 1960 respectively. Married Sally McClouth in 1954, worked as an intern for General Mills in Kankakee, Illinois (1955-1956), and moved with his young family to Phoenix to serve as law clerk for Judge Laurens Henderson in l960. John practiced law as a partner at Cox & Hedberg (1961-1971); in private practice (1971-1973); as a partner at Hedberg & Kirschbaum (1973-1978). He was an advocate before Arizona and appellate courts; U.S. District Court in Arizona; and the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. In 1978, John joined his long-time client, Sea Ray Boats, Inc., as Vice President of Administration and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, when Sea Ray's headquarters were relocated in 1985. He became President/CEO in 1988 and retired from that position in 1989, returning to his beloved Phoenix. John married his wife, Carrie, in 1986. He loved his retirement years with her in Phoenix in the home that he and Carrie built in Ahwatukee. John served as a director and treasurer of Esperanza from 1989 to 1999; was a member of the Chancellor's Association at the University of Tennessee from 1987 to 1989; was chairman of the University of Minnesota Republican Club 1954 to 1955; and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. John unabashedly loved his family. He was an avid tennis player and loved to travel and particularly enjoyed the many trips he and his family made to Sun River, Oregon. John is preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa; and is survived by his wife of 18 years, Carrie; former wife, Sally; and his children: John of Tempe; Ted and his wife, Kelly, of Tempe; Ben and his wife, Donna, of Phoenix; Patrick and his wife, Tiffany, of Seattle; Holly, age 14, and Emily, age 10; and six grandchildren: Julie, Sarah, Leanna, Emma, Erik and Jack. Service will be 1:30 PM Thurs. at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1730 W. Guadalupe, Mesa. Carr Tenney Mortuary handled the arrangements.