Remembering Earl Clinton Hedges Sr.: A Father's Day and Birthday Tribute
This year, as Father's Day approaches on June 15th, and with his 89th birthday on July 2nd, our thoughts turn to Earl Clinton Hedges Sr. It's hard to believe, but this year marks the 16th year since we said our goodbyes. My father, a man of diverse interests and a proud veteran left a lasting mark on our lives.
Part 1: June 15, 2025 – The 16th Anniversary of His Promotion to Glory
On June 15, 2009, the world lost a remarkable individual when my dad, Earl Clinton Hedges, died at the age of 72 in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was born on July 2, 1936, in Sedona, and though his family moved to Flagstaff shortly thereafter, he remained a lifelong resident of the city he called home. His life was rich with experiences and passions. From 1957 to 1961, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, a period we've often discussed, including his Vietnam service records. After his military career, he retired from the Navajo Army Depot, where he was known as a gifted munitions handler. Beyond his professional life, Dad, affectionately known by his loved ones as "Earlybird," had a love for motorcycles, not just riding them, but fixing them as a skilled mechanic. He also found joy in hunting, fishing, radio electronics, and intricate leatherwork. He was a man who truly appreciated the simpler, yet deeply engaging, aspects of life.
His passing left a profound void, a grief shared by his wife, Joan, and his son, Earl Clinton Hedges Jr. He was also preceded in death by his father George, mother Mary, and siblings George Ray and Shirley Kay. Most poignantly, he was also preceded by two of my sisters, his infant daughters, Eunice Lenora Hedges and Victoria Ruth Hedges. Victoria's passing was especially difficult, as I was just 12 years old at the time, a profound loss that deeply affected me and my family especially my mom Joan.
On this upcoming June 15th, 2025, as we mark 16 years since he was "promoted to glory," we take a moment to reflect on the man he was and the legacy he left behind. It's a day for quiet contemplation, for sharing stories, and for feeling his presence in the moments we cherish. We envision his transition as a journey on that "good old gospel ship," sailing peacefully through the air to his eternal home, leaving earthly burdens behind.
However, I like to think that those who on passed before him came aboard that gospel ship to greet him and they all went to that heavenly dock in the sky.
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