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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHedrick, Joe Love Joe L. Hedrick January 21, 1922 - March 23, 2006 Joe Hedrick was a man who lived his life by simple but powerful words - dignity, integrity, self-respect and, most important, loyalty. Throughout his life he helped countless young men and women realize their potential through instruction, praise, and advice, not just through school but throughout their lives. He would help them with whatever they needed, although not always with whatever they wanted. Joe Hedrick was someone who would provide a. recommendation, a loan, and even a place to live if necessary. Whether they were his wife, his children or grandchildren, his students, his football players or even a stranger in need, Joe Hedrick gave tirelessly of himself to others. He was a man who knew the meaning of the word duty, to his family and his community, to his country and to God. Most people knew him as a coach, but his lasting legacy will not be his won- loss record. He was a man that always said, "If you can't teach, you can't c~ach." His most lasting contribution will be the lives of all those who ever came to him for comfort or counsel, all those he taught on the field or in the classroom. He was a lifelong educator who never stopped teaching as well as a lifelong student who never stopped learning. In addition to being an educator of the first order, he was a scholar in the truest sense of the term. He was a man who would never have a book on his shelf that he had not read and would often suggest that you might want to read it too. His knowledge of history and his love oflearning were as impressive and inspiring to those around him as his legendary coaching credentials. He was also a man whose sense of humor was as familiar to those close to him as his determination and his loyalty. His caricatures were legendary and hardly a resident of Robertson County escaped his eye and his pen. His drawings were never hurtful, but instead offered a slightly off-center. v,ision that .helped others to smile at the world and the people around them. . Joe Hedrick was one of the greatest members of the greatest generation. He served liis country as a Marine in wwn in the Pacific Theater, and earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service on Iwo Jima. He was proud of his service in the Marines, and one of his favorite quotes ~as that of a bartender in San Diego who said, "God loves Marines because their hearts are pure," Anyone that has had the pleasure of knowing Joe Hedrick realizes how well that applies to him. . He was also a man with a true ,and deep belief in God. Today it seems trite to describe someone as a good Christian man, but that is what he was. He was a student of the Bible and a tireless supporter of the Wheelock United Methodist Church. He was a traditionalist who carried his belief humbly and quietly, taking strength from God and teaching others by his quiet example. It was that humility along with his loyalty that may be the defming characteristics of the man. No one who knew him ever heard him boast about his many accomplishments. His pride was in service, whether it be to a student, to his community or to God. He never asked for recognition, though'recognition he deserved and received. He led and taught by example, and his quiet strength was an inspiration to all those who met him. Joe Hedrick often said that he was blessed to be able to live his life exactly as he wanted to, where he wanted to, surrounded by the people he loved. It is our good fortune to have been able to share a part of his life. We are ready to let him go, not because we have learned all we could from him - that would take a lifetime - but because he has done his duty and earned his rest. It is for us now to honor his memory by living our lives as we know he would have wanted with dignity, honor, and most especially loyalty. The world may be the lesser for his passing, but all of . us will ~e the better for having known him. He was the greatest Franklin Lion of all time. Joe Hedrick was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Sally Hedrick, his brother, William Hedrick, and his sister, Cornelia Cope. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Matilda (Tillie) K. Hedrick; three sons' and daughters-in-law, Mike and Denise Hedrick, Joe and Kathy Hedrick, and Wade and Latitia Hedrick; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kate and Richard Barnett, Sara and Ed Dutch, and Molly Hedrick and Steve Cox; twelve grandchildren, Laura Barnett Boyett, Claire Barnett, Amy Dutch Engallina, Molly Anna Dutch, James Hedrick, Jordan Hedrick, Will Hedrick, Katie Hedrick, Hannah Cox, Colleen Cox, Emily Cox, and Thomas Hedrick; one great-grandson, Richard Parker Boyett; and one nephew, Jesse Cope III; and one niece, Jo Ann Eck. Services are set for 2:00 pm Sunday at the Wheelock United Methodist Church, with interment to follow at the Wheelock Cemetery. . -, Joe Love Hedrick Jan. 21, 1922 - , March 23, 2006 FRANKLIN - Services for Joe J Love Hedrick, 84, of Wheelock are set for 2. p.m. Sunday at Whee- lock United Methodist Church: Burial will be at Wheelock Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McCauley Funer- al Home in Franklin. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Mr. Hedrick died Thursday at · his home. He served in the U.S. r Marine Corps during World War II 'and retired from the Franklin school district in 1985 after 39 years of service as a coach and teacher. Survivors include his wife, Tillie Hedrick of Wheelock;". three daughters and sons-in-law" Kate and Richard Barnett of "New Baden, Sara and Edwin Dutch of Marble Falls and Holly Hedrick and Steve Cox of Franklin; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Denese Hedrick and Wade and Latitia Hedrick, all of Mar- quez, and Joseph and Kathy I Hedrick of Wheelock; 12 grand- . children; a great-grandchild; a I I nephew; and a niece. Memorials may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, the Joe Hedrick Scholarship at Franklin Independent School District or th~ Wheelock Methodist Church Building Fund. ...