Lawrence W. "Larry" Hedger

Lawrence Hedger Obituary

Lawrence W. "Larry" Hedger, U.S. Army Veteran, age 86, formerly of Hickory Hills and Homer Glen, late of Kankakee, IL, passed away in his sleep on March 10, 2019. He was beloved husband of Patsy (nee Thompson), devoted father of Jeffrey (Janet), Douglas (LeAnn), and Bradley (Reyn), and proud papa to 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Larry was a High School Mathematics teacher and a Coach at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, IL and Victor J Andrew High School in Tinley Park, IL. His friends knew him as Larry or Hedge. His students knew him as Mr. Hedger or Coach. His family knew him as son, brother, Dad, Pops, Uncle Larry, Grandpa or Great Grandpa, but all who knew him loved him and he loved them. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 23rd from 2:00pm to 4:30pm at Lack and Sons Funeral Home in Hickory Hills, IL. A memorial will follow until 6:00pm.

Published by SouthtownStar from Mar. 19 to Mar. 21, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Hedger

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Just saw this today. Coach Hedger was my freshman basketball coach and my golf coach all 4 years. I never had him as a teacher. I also babysat the boys one Saturday evening for Coach and Mrs. Hedger. He took me out for private golf lessons a few times during my sophomore year to the old Walnut Hills golf course where we played during my freshman year. We also watched the 1967 OakLawn tornado from the Walnut Hills clubhouse as it skirted it's way around the course. He then drove several of us home to our anxious parents.

Rich Kolar

May 21, 2019

I was so very sorry to learn of Larry's passing. Back in the 1970's when I was the Beautification Chairperson for the city of Hickory Hills, Larry was an alderman at the time. He was so kind and helpful to me and I appreciated that very much. My sincere condolences to his family and RIP my friend.

Shirley Dragas Hickory Hills.

Shirley Dragas

April 2, 2019

I was so sorry to hear about Coach. I first met him when I was at Stagg and we went on to teach math and coach softball at Andrew. He was a special friend and I have many fond memories of our time together. I'd come into the office and he'd have his feet up on my desk ha! Take comfort in knowing he had many people who loved him, including me.

Diane Ogrodowski

March 25, 2019

Mrs. Hedger and family,
I was saddened to hear about your husband and father. He was my geometry teacher at Stagg in 1966. He was a great and caring teacher who always had a smile.

Bill Stanton

March 24, 2019

Condolences to Mrs. Hedger and your children.
There are teachers you would like to forget, but can't. Then there are teachers a student will
never forget. Mr. Hedger was definitely the latter. He taught me geometry my sophomore year (1970). I put those lessons to use during my 43 years of construction. Angles, area & volume all related to that work. Very sorry for your loss he was a great teacher and a good man.

Respectfully, Leo Miller class of '72

March 23, 2019

Its never easy to lose a parent our hearts go out to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Know that in time you will be comforted by your happy memories from years gone by. He lives on in your family and in the many lives he touched and influenced.
Love Arlene and Doug

March 23, 2019

Rest In Peace Mr. Hedger. I will never forget your geometry class at VJA. You were a funny teacher and knew how to make connections with all your students. I'm praying for you and your family.

Sue Kohlstedt

March 23, 2019

Donna Katula

Friend

March 23, 2019

Donna Katula

Friend

March 23, 2019

Dear Mrs. Hedger & family, I am so sorry to learn of Coach Hedgers passing. I have such fond memories of my time spent with Coach while playing softball at Andrew. Since I was a catcher, we stood next to each other and talked and talked for hours. We had great fun during practice for four years. If he ever felt like the ump made a bad call he would ask me from the sidelines, Donna, was that a strike? :) I went on to become a math teacher and even coached softball myself for a few years. His advice to me when I started out teaching was to always be firm, fair and friendly. He mentioned it last, but he was always friendly first! He was a mentor to me and I loved him. He had a great sense of humor and a smile and laugh that would light up a room. It sounds so silly now, but whenever he would get a haircut I would pass him in the hall and say, Coach, you got your hair cut and he would always respond Got em all cut followed with his huge SMILE and lingering chuckle. He had a special way of spreading joy to people around him just by being his kind, positive & funny self. 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:21 Godspeed, Coach. Love you.
VJA '80-'84

Donna (McGonagle) Katula

Friend

March 23, 2019

My deepest sympathies to your family. Mr. Hedger was one of my favorite teachers.

Michelle Teutemacher (Hoh)

March 22, 2019

Our deepest sympathies to the family. Our daughters Maureen and Donna played for Coach Hedger on Andrew softball team years ago.

Bob & Kathy McGonagle

March 22, 2019

Mr. Hedger was a fantastic teacher. He really cared about his students and their success. When I look back at my high school years, he is one teacher that definitely stands out.

One of my favorite memories is anytime someone had a poor excuse for something, he'd rub his thumb and index finger together and say "This is the smallest violin in the world playing, my heart cries for you" I have used that myself a few times over the years.

Condolences to your family.

Samantha (Binder) Gorczowski

March 22, 2019

Reyn Hedger

March 21, 2019

Coach Hedger was one of THE best coaches and teachers. I am by no means a math whiz, but he made it FUN! I am honored to have had the pleasure of calling him Coach. I will forever be grateful to have been a part of the memories and friendships that are still strong today and that have stood the test of time. Thank you, Coach Hedger, for being an influence on the high school student-athlete that helped create the woman I have become today. You will be greatly missed!
~~Angie LeMonnier-Heller, VJA Softball 1983-87

"You gotta concentrate doing what ya gotta do in doing what ya gotta do!" ~~Coach Hedger

March 21, 2019

Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of one of the BEST . Fun loving / great spirited teacher / person I have ever been associated with. If a Teacher's purpose is to positively impact their students, Mr, Hedger, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Coach Ben Kotwica (VJA 1993)

Ben Kotiwca

March 20, 2019

Dear Patsy, sending our love from Florida during your time of grief. Besides being a mentor to me, Larry was like my second father during my time at Andrew HS.He was passionate about coaching and teaching. Larry was a fun loving guy who always kept the math department people smiling!! He often lovingly talked about you and the boys! Our deepest condolences-May he RIP. Mike (Barb) Walaszek

March 20, 2019

It was a honor to care for Larry him and Pat always made me feel welcome our talks about sports as well as other things that smile and you saying 'Just Ducky. You will truly be missed he
called me was "His Buddy" Jamilah Criswell

Jamilah Ciswell

March 20, 2019

Larry and I arrived at Stagg at the same time--September 1965. We shared interests in the early days of the District 230 Teachers Association and spent many a day conversing in the teachers' cafeteria before school started, during lunch, and our free periods. I was sorry to see him leave Stagg for Andrew. I always valued his opinions and friendship.

Don MacGregor

March 19, 2019

March 19, 2019

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Memorial Events
for Lawrence Hedger

Mar

23

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Lack & Sons Funeral Home - Hickory Hills

9236 S. Roberts Rd., Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Mar

23

Memorial service

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Lack & Sons Funeral Home - Hickory Hills

9236 S. Roberts Rd., Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Funeral services provided by:

Lack & Sons Funeral Home - Hickory Hills

9236 S. Roberts Rd., Hickory Hills, IL 60457

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