Harry James Hedrick

(April 4, 1924-January 26th, 2015)

Harry James Hedrick, age 90 of La Palma, California died Monday, January 26, 2015 at Los Alamitos Hospital from a heart attack. Visitation at the Pierce Mortuary, 2425 West Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA on February 8th at 4:30 pm. Funeral services to be held February 9th at 9:15 am at St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress, California. Burial at the Riverside National Memorial Cemetery.

Harry Hedrick was born April 4, 1924 in Roberts County, South Dakota to parents Emil and Pauline (Determan) Hedrick. He was the second of nine children. He attended and graduated high school at Browns Valley High School. He joined the Navy in 1941 and served 20 years obtaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During World War II he served in the US Submarine Pacific Fleet.

While stationed in San Francisco he met Kathleen Nelson, a teletype operator for the Santa Fe railroad. They fell in love and were married at St. Mary’s Church in San Francisco on May 8, 1947. The couple spent the next 13 years residing in Navy ports and stations throughout the United States and also 3 years in Santiago, Chile. In 1965 the couple purchased their first home in La Palma, California and Harry lived there until his death.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of South Dakota and graduated in 1963 with a BS in Accounting. After graduation he accepted a job with the GAO office in Los Angeles, California and worked there until his retirement in 1985.

Harry was a huge fan of the Detroit Tigers and Notre Dame football where his two daughters and grandson attended. He loved going to the horse races at Santa Anita Racetrack, and playing all forms of cards with his children and grandchildren. He also took up the game of golf after his retirement and was a regular on the navy golf course. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Kathleen visiting almost every state in the United States and two trips to Europe. As a couple they were active in the Los Angeles chapter of the Submarine Veterans of World War II.

Survivors include his three children: Matthew (Judy) Hedrick of Simi Valley, CA, Teresa (Sam) Williams of Sierra Madre, CA, and Marybeth (Mel) Hudson of Dove Canyon, CA; eleven grandchildren: Mike, Lacey, Malia (Hedrick), Ted, Joey (Williams), Ira, Sasha, Sergei, Lyra, London, Oakley (Hudson); brother Pat Hedrick of Portland, Oregon; sisters Ione Damarus of Tomahawk, WI and Shirley Rolstad of Sisseton, SD. Preceding him in death were his wife Kathleen, his parents Emil and Pauline, brothers Glen, Knute and John and sisters Helen and Mary.

Harry had a long list of charities he supported. Two of his special favorites were Covenant House, 1325 N. Western Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90027 and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital , 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.