Brian Jay Hedrick

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, God called Brian Jay Hedrick, age 57, home. Brian was living in a "special care" home in Cloquet Mn in his last year and a half of life, following many years of living in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Richland Center, WI, the son of Jim and Linda (Hipenbecker) Hedrick, and lived in a variety of different places before the family finally settled in Ashland, WI. After graduating high school from Ashland in 1987, he met his wife while attending UMD, and they decided to move to Phoenix, AZ. His former wife, and 2 daughters, Kyra and Laikyn, still reside in Arizona.

Brian grew up and played sports first for Ondossagon, while living in the countryside of Ashland, WI, and then for the Ashland Oredockers when his family moved to Ashland when he was a 10th grader. He loved playing football and basketball and eventually went on to UMD and then UWS to play college basketball, which was the sport he truly loved. Brian had a heart of gold, and those who knew him cared and loved him deeply. For most of Brian's younger years growing up, he was part of his Family's Gospel singing group "The Hedrick's Gospel in Song." He also had a deep love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and continued to attend church as often as possible.

Brian had a love for motorcycles but early in Jan '09 he was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident which left him with a serious TBI, which slowly, but ultimately over the years, would be the cause of the deterioration of his mind and body. Even up until the end, he was determined to get another motorcycle so he could keep riding. The Pine Ridge Home he was living in for the last year and a half of his life was the perfect place for him to be in the end, with the most amazing caretakers to watch over him daily. Brian ended up loving all of the workers there during his stay, but especially Heather, who developed an incredibly deep bond with him. We will be forever grateful for all of them who loved him like he was their own.

Brian is survived by his father, Jim (Darlene) Hedrick of Cloquet MN; his sister, Brenda (Ryan) Gigliotti of Cloquet MN; his 2 daughters, Kyra and Laikyn Hedrick of Phoenix AZ; nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Atkins Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet, MN, at 11 AM. A visitation one hour prior to the service will be held from 10-11 AM, with a luncheon to follow the service.

Brian will be forever missed and never forgotten. We will always carry his memory in our hearts and look forward to seeing him again someday.