Terence "Terry" Hedg-Peth

Terence (Terry) was the first of two sons born to his parents, and was preceded in death by his younger brother George Hedg-peth.  Terry was also preceded in death by his devoted wife of 59 years, Eudora Bartlett Hedg-peth.  He is survived by his two children, Paul and Lois Hedg-peth, and by his grandchildren Michelle, David, and Costel Hedg-peth as well as by Lois’ two stepsons, Justin Smith and Stephen Smith.

Terry grew up primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. He entered the Marine Corps immediately upon graduation from high school, where he saw significant action in the Pacific arena during WW II.  He commanded an amphibious tractor and was sunk 3 separate times in his brief military service, participating in some of the better-known major battles including Guam, Iwo Jima, and the Marshall Islands.  He was nominated for a combat medal as a result of his bravery in putting himself directly in harm’s way in order to rescue soldiers wounded by and about to be killed by the Japanese army.

While transitioning from military service to civilian life, Terry met a chaplain who was to have a transformative impact on his life.  Religion was a source of bitter and protracted fights between his parents, and Terry wanted nothing to do with it.  This chaplain introduced him to a God who actually loved Terry personally enough to die for him before Terry even knew there was a God.  Terry gave his life to Jesus Christ on a small and otherwise insignificant island in the Pacific Ocean.

Terry completed what was then known as “Business College” under the GI bill upon his return to civilian life.  He also began attending a local church, where he met his wife Eudora.  They married in November 1952, and ten months later welcomed their first child, Paul.  Three years later they welcomed his sister, Lois.  Terry advanced to the position of executive secretary with a steel manufacturer before answering a call to the ministry. 

Terry spent the next five years earning first a Bachelor’s degree, then a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Theological Seminary. Over the next 25 years while raising his two children he pastored 3 churches.  He was simultaneously disdainful of political or religious correctness and determined to reach out to those marginalized and rejected by both the church and society. He boldly confronted religious trends within his chosen denomination while at the same time initiating a prayer service in which he had the audacity to expect God to provide physical healing to individuals in need, whether or not those individuals had any relationship to the church or to God.  This did result in some rather dramatic physical healings, but Terry never made a big deal of that.  He saw this as a way to reach out to people in need who ordinarily wouldn’t come to church, and in the process many received emotional and spiritual healing as well as physical healing.

Terry had such a strong work effort, routinely working 70 hour weeks throughout his career, that he retired twice before he actually quit working for good, at around the age of 80.  Upon the death of his beloved Eudora he agreed to move into assisted living near his daughter Lois in Montana.  He quickly became a favorite of staff there.  Terry died in his sleep after apparently suffering a series of strokes.

Terry served his country faithfully and served as a living example of a life so transformed by the knowledge of a God who knew his name and loved him that he could not help reaching out with that same love to those marginalized and hurting people he met every day.  His favorite hymn contains a chorus with the words, ‘When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there’.  On July 18th his name was called by the loving God he’s served for more than 60 years.  I’m quite sure dad’s response was “Present and ready for duty”, to which I am sure His Master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Master.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial to Canyon View Church or Marcus Daly Hospital Foundation.