Jackie Lee Hedgecock Sr.

Jackie “Jack” Lee Hedgecock Sr., age 77, of Centerville, Iowa passed away Saturday, October 10, 2020 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.

Jack was born on November 29, 1942 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Challice and Mary (Williams) Hedgecock. 

Following his high school education, Jack enlisted in the United States Army.  He served his country faithfully, receiving an honorable discharge on February 13, 1961.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Rae Jennings on August 27, 1962 and to this union of marriage, four children were born, Jackie Jr., Johnnie, Donnie, and Tammie.  The couple recently celebrated fifty-eight years of marriage.

Following his military service, Jack spent many years employed in the grocery store industry as a produce manager.  He worked in produce management in Des Moines for Hinky Dinky, Dahl’s Foods, and Easters SuperValu Grocery.  

Jack was subsequently employed as a trade carpenter in Des Moines for a period of time. 

Following a long and dedicated working career in the Des Moines area, Jack and his family relocated to Udell, Iowa, where they built the home that they would live in for many years. 

Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his lifetime.  With a passion for the outdoors, Jack cherished the time he spent hunting and fishing.  Moreover, he devoted many years of his life to raising and training hunting dogs. 

He also had a love for the game of baseball and enjoyed instilling the love for the game in both his children and grandchildren.  Building pitching mounds and backstops in the backyard, Jack spent countless hours teaching his family the fundamentals of the game. 

Most importantly, Jack loved his family and especially cherished all of his grandchildren, as they were his world.

Left to honor his memory include his wife, Phyllis Hedgecock of Centerville, Iowa; four children, Jackie Hedgecock Jr and his wife, Heidi of New London, Iowa, Johnnie Hedgecock of Centerville, Iowa, Donnie Hedgecock and his wife, Jamie of Udell, Iowa, and Tammie Millizer and her husband, Buddy of Centerville, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Alexandria Hedgecock, Joseph Hedgecock, Lexy Hedgecock, Brittani Hedgecock, Konnr Hedgecock, Dylan Hedgecock, Justin Sieren, Hailey Sieren, and Hunter Millizer; two great grandchildren, Aria Drake and Aurora Drake; a sister, Erma Sweet of Omaha, Nebraska; as well as many other family members, including nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Challice and Mary Hedgecock; three brothers, Arthur Hedgecock, James Hedgecock, and Donald Lee Lampkin; six sisters, Dorothy Schnittjer, Marilyn McKee, Carolyn Ellis, Mary Lou Courtney, Sylvia Bissett, and Jody Onnen.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Friday, October 16, 2020 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville, with Pastor Brian Hargrave officiating.  Burial with military rites will follow in the Denny Cemetery, near Moravia.  A visitation will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville, with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM.  A memorial has been established to The Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544.  Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.