Raymond Hugh Hedgecock

Raymond Hugh Hedgecock died on Saturday, July 6, 2013, after living what he knew was a wonderful life. Ray was born to Myrtle McCall and Hugh Inman Hedgecock on Aug. 26, 1926 in Wilton, Ark. The second of three siblings, Ray was a red bolt of lightning, known by everyone throughout his small town as someone destined for great things. His mother was a founding member of the local Presbyterian church, a legacy he would grow into throughout his life. There was never a more devoted Presbyterian congregant than Ray Hedgecock. Ray graduated early from nearby Ashdown (Ark.) High School, shook the dust of that little town off his feet and got on the bus to Fayetteville where he blossomed at the University of Arkansas. A civil engineering major and a proud member of Theta Tau fraternity, Ray fully embraced college life but never took his eye off his hometown sweetheart, Annie Jean Johnson. Following graduation and a short, unglamorous war-time stint in the U.S. Army, he married that girl and whisked her off to Monroe, La. for the start of his long career in the oil and gas industry. He worked in property acquisition for Columbian Carbon Company which became part of Cities Service Oil Company which became part of Occidental Oil and Gas – Monroe to Houston to Tulsa – a 35-year career with one organization, practically unheard of this day and age. Children Ann Elaine and Louis Ray were on the scene early in their marriage, Richard Hugh came later. It was a traditional household with a homemaker and a breadwinner. Lessons weren't preached, they were passed on; important things like how to keep a baseball score, use a jigsaw and drive a stick shift. Values were instilled through modeling; the importance of using the right word at the right time, dressing like a professional in order to be treated like a professional, never thinking more of yourself than what you actually are (because you're not). To see that his children were all grown, healthy, successful and happy was more than he ever could have wished for. But the greatest light of his life was always his bride, Annie Jean. Oh, how he doted on her! Every Saturday morning he would wake up and make her crepes for breakfast, a different flavor each week. As they grew older, he waited on her hand and foot, so appreciative of the life she had provided for him and his family. Her passing two years ago was heartbreaking for him. A reunion isn't really happening now because they were never really apart. Ray is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Andy Cervini, of Tulsa; his son, Louis Hedgecock and his partner, Jerry Croghan, of New York City; his daughter-in-law and son, Belinda and Richard Hedgecock, of Little Rock; his beloved grandchildren, Grant, Sally, Sarah, Emily, Will-I and Haley; his sister, DeWanda England of Brookshire, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ray's ashes will be interred in the columbarium at First Presbyterian Church, 709 S. Boston Avenue, Tulsa Okla., and a memorial service will be held there on Friday, July 19 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Theta Tau Educational Foundation, 1011 San Jacinto, Ste. 205, Austin, Texas 78701 or at https://www.wepay.com/donations/1635061911.