Joseph (Joe) John Hedrick age 90, peacefully departed this life to eternal life with Christ on April 29, 2021 in Chesapeake, VA.  His family knew him as a God-fearing, kind, and loyal husband, father, Pops and Great Pops.  He was known for the love he consistently demonstrated for his family and close friends and for sharing his deep faith in his Lord and Savior.  Joe trusted that the Lord would always provide for the family and looked to God’s Word for guidance and encouragement.  He especially loved this verse: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Joe was born on August 22, 1930 in Jersey City, NJ to Louis Martin Hedrick and Mary E. Hedrick (Gleeson). He attended St. Michaels High School and later enrolled part-time at Seton Hall University. He worked in various positions in the credit industry and finished a successful career as General Manager of Credit Control Corporation in Newport News, VA.

Joe was known for his clever and humorous quips, puns, jokes, and one-liners. He loved to laugh and make people laugh.  He always had the right thing to say (even if it was a bit inappropriate) but was never afraid to speak his mind or share his faith in Christ.  Joe had a repertoire of entertaining stories and could recite poetry from memory learned during his school years.  One of his favorite lines adapted from the “Ballad of the Tempest” was: “We’re off the captain shouted as he staggered down the stairs.”  He used this often as he exited a room.

Joe was an American Patriot who loved this country and the freedom he helped to maintain.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean Conflict and was part of an air traffic control team stationed both stateside (Mississippi and Texas) and overseas (Azores and Germany).  Joe was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sargent.  He enjoyed serving his community as a member of the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs where he occasionally held leadership positions. Joe loved the local church and faithfully served in various ministries over the years.  

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Francesca E. Hedrick (Guinta), and wife, Mary E. Hedrick (Kinney). He is survived by his wife, Linn Marie Hedrick; his two children, Louis James Hedrick (wife, Mary Ellen) and Stephen Michael Hedrick (wife, Debra Joy); 6 grandchildren, Stephen Hedrick (Christyn), Kathryn Donohue (Timothy), Andrew Hedrick (Alyssa), Joshua Hedrick (Sarah), Dara Hedrick, and Ryan Hedrick (Nina); 5 great-grandchildren, Rory, Charlotte, Maryn, Wyatt and Katelyn.

A celebration service will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10 o’clock in the morning at:

Christian Embassy International Church 

1208 Centerville Turnpike N.

Chesapeake, VA 23320

We encourage those who wish to remember Joe in a special way to make a gift to the Christian charity of their choice.  Among Joe’s favorite local Christian ministries were:

Christian Embassy International Church

Christian Broadcasting Network

Abundant Harvest Ministries