Charles Hedges Obituary

Charles Wilbur "Chuck" Hedges

Charles Wilbur "Chuck" Hedges passed away peacefully on Sunday February 7, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence, KS.

He was born in Courtland, Kansas, population near 430, on February, 26, 1935. The son of Wilbur and Anne (Holtberg) Hedges, he had three older sisters, Betty, Joyce, and Shirley. He graduated second in his high school class, but as he liked to say, was not in the top ten percent. There were nine students in his senior class. Chuck attended the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, making him a life-long Jayhawk fan.

After graduating from the University of Kansas School of Law, he turned to real estate, and eventually founded Hedges Real Estate and Insurance, which grew into two separate businesses. He loved working in the real estate and insurance businesses and he truly appreciated the many co-workers and customers over the years. He was elected President of The Lawrence Board of Realtors and ultimately received the honor of Distinguished Service Award from the Lawrence Board of Realtors. Some of his other civic activities included being President of The Optimist Club, President of the Lawrence Country Club Board of Directors, serving as a member of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Board, and attending the First United Methodist Church.

In 1956 he married a Lawrence girl, Yvonne Richardson. Together they had four children, Laura, Scott, Blake, and Bryan, who became the focus of their lives. In addition to raising their kids and growing their businesses, Chuck and Yvonne enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Texas. They loved playing golf, cards, bridge, and enjoyed the many friends made while playing. Chuck ultimately earned his Life Master in Duplicate Bridge.

Chuck enjoyed sailing, boating, skiing, fishing, playing racquetball, hunting quail and pheasant, coaching Hillbillies youth football, helping the Aquahawks swim teams, and eating cookies and ice cream. He loved to play games, tell jokes, laugh, and make others laugh. His cabin at Lone Star Lake was the site of many memories with family and friends. Even when slowed by Parkinson's disease, Chuck never lost his sense of humor, often catching his caregivers by surprise with his quick wit. For more than 30 years, he was Grandpa or Pop. He leaves twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another great-grandchild on the way, and many nieces and nephews. He loved spending time with family and attending their activities.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty.

He is survived by his wife and companion of nearly 60 years, Yvonne; his sisters Joyce and Shirley, his daughter Laura and husband Frank Burney of San Antonio, Texas, their son Christopher and wife Elizabeth and their daughter Bennett, and daughters Kara, and Charlotte; Scott Hedges and wife Paula, and children Anna, Kayla and Michael; Blake Hedges and wife Kristin and children Apryl, Dylan, Isabella, and Jake; Bryan Hedges and his wife Laura, and their children, Faith and Will.

The Hedges Family would like to sincerely thank all those friends, medical professionals, and caregivers who helped Chuck throughout his life and in recent years and especially to those at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Pioneer Ridge, and Grace Hospice in recent months.

A celebration of life and memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence KS. The family suggests gifts in honor of Charles W. Hedges to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home or at Michaeljfox.org/foundation.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.