Randall Wayne Hedrick

He was the son of Richard P. and Kathryn Gail Hedrick. He was a graduate of Green Bank High School in West Virginia and Kent State University in Ohio. He retired from General Electric in 2002 at the age of 56.

Randy grew up in the small town of Durbin, West Virginia where the National Forest was his playground. There he learned to love the mountains where hunting and fishing were his passion. Spring always provided plenty of trout for the dinner table: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and native trout. Fall colors meant venison victuals to satisfy the most voracious appetite.

When Randy moved to Ohio, where he met his wife, Joyce (the catch of his life), he learned to fish for walleye, crappie and bluegills, and even salmon on the Chagrin River. Wintering in Florida after he retired brought even more fish fun: snook, redfish, blackdrums, sheephead, Spanish mackerel, flounder, sea trout and pompano were his joy. He also learned how to go “shrimping” and set traps for stone crab. He was never stingy with his bounty and shared with the whole resort, often filleting the fish he gave away. He was known by many as “Randy Redfish” for his prowess in catching that prized fish.

His most joyful experience came in 2006 when he came to know Christ as his Lord and Savior. And so it is with great joy and comfort that we know he is now breathing celestial air in the presence of his God.

Randy was passionate about whatever he did. He took beautiful pictures in the mountains and the sea and made them into bookmarks with a Bible verse on the back. He took pleasure in making them and gave away thousands!

Randy was all about family, his children and grandchildren. He cherished every minute he had with them and loved them deeply. He always looked forward to Sunday dinner when all would gather, often with fish or venison on the menu!

He always maintained his West Virginia heritage, digging ginseng in season and ramps in the spring.

His brother Rick was also his best friend. They enjoyed many years of hunting, and fishing together, always coming home with a good story to tell.

At Portage Community Chapel in Ravenna, he found a great church family, whom he came to love dearly. His Saturday morning Bible Study was a joy to him to the very end. They took such good care of Randy and loved him deeply. Thanks guys!!

Randy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joyce (Mendiola) Hedrick, and his mother Kathryn Gail (Mullennex) Hedrick, age 103 years old. He is also survived by his sons Scott (Olga) Hedrick and Michael (Melissa) Hedrick. Also left to cherish “Papa Randy’s” memory are his grandchildren Nick, Maddie, Lauren, and Peyton Hedrick. Also surviving is his brother Rick (Erma) Hedrick; sisters Judy Martin, Karen Anders, and Kathy (Charlie) King; mother-in-law Carita Mendiola; sisters-in-law Janet Mendiola, Betty (Mike) Heisler, Susan (Steve) Fosnight, Karen Stein and Bonnie Mendiola and brother-in-law Jim Mendiola. Randy also leaves behind many, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Richard Hedrick and brother-in-law Larry Mendiola.

Friends will be received on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Portage Community Chapel, 6490 St. Rt. 14, Ravenna, Ohio from 5-7pm and again on Saturday from 10am until the funeral service, officiated by Emeritus Pastor Barry Shahan, at 11am. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Portage Community Chapel, 6490 St. Rt. 14, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

Randy’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone at Crossroads Hospice and UH Portage Medical Center for their wonderful, compassionate care given to Randy and to us.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com