More detail on this person: James R. Hedge James Ray Hedge, age 64 of Joplin, passed away at 8:06 a.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at his home. Born Nov. 17, 1946, in Carthage, he was the son of the late James Henry Hedge and Geneva Alene Bowman Hedge. He grew up in Lakeside within sight of Center Creek. He loved that creek and spent many happy childhood hours exploring the creek's many nooks and crannies with his friend, Paul Coffee. He was saved as a child at Pleasant View Baptist Church. Jim went to Pleasant Valley Elementary School and graduated from Carthage High School in 1964. He married Penny Young in 1964 and to this union were born his beloved sons, James Dale and Craig Allen. A U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as a helicopter pilot, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire, as well as several other medals for heroism. He worked in sales on the Gulf coast for many years. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth A. (Betty) Petersen on May 4, 1991, in Joplin. She survives. He loved her children, Dawn, Dianne and Kenny, as his own. Jim graduated from M.S.S.C. with an Associate of Science Degree in Computer Assisted Manufacturing Technology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Technology. He worked for Starbrite Plating Company until ill health forced him to retire. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Association. Survivors include his wife, Betty; two sons, James Dale Simon and wife, Elizabeth, Craig Allen Simon and wife, Sondra, all of Joplin; stepdaughters, Dawn McCaffery and husband, Isaias, of Independence, Kan., Diane Davenport and husband, Curtis, of Joplin, Kenneth Larkin of Joplin; two sisters, Jayme Poulson and husband, Donald, Alcy Roberts, all of Carthage; nine grandchildren, Kara, Kylee, Nick, Logan, Ashton, Jessica, Curtis, Dimitri, Eleni and Elizabeth; two great-grandsons, Keagen James and Kaden. A brother, Barry Hedge, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011, at Fairview Baptist Church with Rev. John Mitchell officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011, at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Hospice.
Burial information: Osborne Memorial Cemetery, Joplin, MO
This information was last updated 09/04/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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