Hunt Randolph Hedrick

DANVILLE, Va. ? Hunt Randolph Hedrick of 323 Shamrock Dr. in Grove Park, left this world to meet his Lord on Sunday, August 29, 2004. Hunt passed away at the Danville Regional Medical Center after losing his battle with cancer.
Born May 12, 1923, in Pittsylvania Co., he was the son of the late Annie Mays and John Hunt Hedrick. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Claudine and Bruce Mays of Dry Fork after losing his parents at the age of 12.
He graduated from Whitmell High School in 1942.
Hunt volunteered for the elite 11th Airborne "Angels" Parachute and Glider Infantry after being drafted into the Army in 1943 and fought in the Pacific during World War II. During his military service, Hunt received several battle decorations including a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He returned from the war to spend his first wedding anniversary in an army hospital after suffering a wound to the head, received during the invasion of the Japanese occupied island of Luzon, in the Philipines.
After being discharged from military service, he attended Averett College, Elon College and the University of North Carolina. He was later employed by Dan River, Inc., where he held management positions in the Sewing Room for 37 years prior to retiring. He was a past member of the Friars Club, Kiwanis, VFW, American Legion, Civitan Club, and the DAV. He was a member of Mount Hermon Baptist Church as a youth and later was a long-time member and deacon of Bethany Presbyterian Church.
He married Dorothy Louise Lakey in April 1944 in Lake Charles, La., while serving his country. They had been married for over 60 years and had resided at 323 Shamrock Dr. for over 46 years.
In addition to his wife, Dorothy Lakey Hedrick, Hunt is survived by his son Hunt R. (Randy) Hedrick, Jr., and grandson, Hunt R. Hedrick, III, of Hopkinton, Mass.; his brother, George David Hedrick of Martinsville; and his sister, Mary White of Chatham. He is also survived by the many friends he made over his years with Dan River, and the many people he met and influenced in his active 81+ years.
He was predeceased in 2000 by his younger brother, John Hyland Hedrick of Lynchburg.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2004, from Townes Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Don Davidson and the Rev. George Rumney. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park with military honors to be given by the American Legion Post #325.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, at Townes Funeral Home and at other times will be at the residence, 323 Shamrock Dr.
Heaven is a better place with men like Hunt Hedrick. My Mentor, My Compass, My Friend, My Hero, My Father...From a grateful son.