Joel Robert Hedges

Joel was born on January 29, 1959 in Des Moines to the Rev. Robert B. Hedges and Carole Simpson Hedges. He was a 1977 graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines.

A proud, hard worker, Joel’s first job was washing dishes at Eddie Websters in West Des Moines when he was 14 years old. His love of cars led to a lifetime of employment in the automotive industry and to restoring in his free time a ’72Oldsmobile 4-4-2. In Des Moines, he worked at Stew Hansen’s Dodge City. In Phoenix where he moved in 1983, Joel worked for numerous car dealerships including Camelback Mitzubishiand Bill Luke Dodge Chrysler Jeep, where he was Parts Manager.

Handsome with eyes that were Paul Newman blue, Joel’s passions included fishing, drag racing/funny car, and gardening. He was particularly proud that he drove his 2005 Harley Davidson round trip from Phoenix to Sturges, South Dakota for the Sturges Bike Week. He was equally proud that he and his brother Phil rode their bicycles across Iowa during RAGBRAI XXXIV.

Joel is survived by his daughters, Rachel (Phill) Clark of Goodyear, AZ, Michele (Cody) Hedges of Phoenix, AZ; two grandsons, Kaleb and Ethan Clark; two granddaughters, Addison and Aubrey Clark; sister Mary Clare (Dan) Evans of Meridian, MS; brothers Peter (Susan) Hedges of Brooklyn and Philip (Jody) Hedges of Cave Creek, AZ; many nieces and nephews; and his companion Pattie Cascio. He was preceded in death by his parents.