James “Jim” Hedges, 83, of Chatsworth, passed away on Thursday, May 2nd 2019, at Murray Medical Center (AdventHealth) under hospice care given by Homespun Hospice in Murray County, Georgia. Jim was surrounded by his family after a short battle with multiple health issues. Jim will be cremated and no services will be held per his request.
Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home. Jim was born in Maple Hill, Kansas to John and Thelma Hedges on April 28, 1936. He graduated from Denison High School 1954, (16 in the graduation class) in Denison, Kansas where he was an athlete playing Basketball and Baseball winning State various years.
Jim also enrolled in Kansas State in the certificate program earning a certificate in Artificial Insemination. Jim’s dad was the Mayor of Denison and had the only store in town. As a child, Jim rescued stray dogs.
The stray dogs would be hooked to his wagon that Jim drove around town. He had a 16 dog wagon. Jim enjoyed rodeo and playing Cowboy Music.
Jim had two favorite horses Jigger and Spanky. Jim started his rodeo career in California roping goats. He went on to saddle broncs, calf roping and some teamroping on both sides.
Jim moved back to Kansas from California with his horse in the back of the pickup truck; his belongings tucked around the horse and his family inside the pickup truck while pulling a small camper trailer behind the truck. Jim married Jewel Hedges November 16, 1966 in Kansas City, Kansas. While living in McLouth, Kansas Jim was foreman of Black Watch Ranch were he was the overseer of 900 head of Black Angus Cattle.
While in Kansas he and his band, “Jim Hedges and the Country Times” were booked six months in advance. Jim worked at Murray County Hospital for several years. He resigned from the hospital and was a welder by trade.
Jim retired from MidSouth Metals. Jim, his wife and family moved to Georgia to get closer to Nashville. Jim won the “Kentucky Fried Chicken Songwriter’s Contest” while living in Georgia.
After winning the contest, he did not pursue music as hard as he was uncomfortable signing autographs. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jewel Hedges, a special granddaughter, Elizabeth “Ashley” Hedges and his sister Peggy McCrory. His special pets are waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge are Jigger (Sorrel Horse), Sissy (Rottweiler) and Hooch (Mixed Terrier.
) Jim also had a Canadian goose that flew at his shoulder as he walked to the barn to feed the horses. Goosey would also fly back to the house ahead of Jim and then slow back to his shoulder. Jim is survived by his sons, daughter-in-law and daughters James “Jimmy” Lee Hedges and Debbie Hedges (Mesa, Arizona), Richard and Liberty Hedges (Wichita, Kansas), Curtis Hedges (Signal Mountain, Tennessee), Dr. Beverly Hedges, Becky Hedges and Connie Hedges all of Chatsworth.
Grandchildren are Cassie Hedges (Mesa, Arizona), Kendra Smith (Baldwin, Kansas) Rene Hicks, Curtis Hedges, Jr. (Cleveland, Tennessee), Adrian and Tina Fernandes (Wichita, Kansas. ) Special childhood friend Alfred Twombly. Jim is also survived by Priscilla Hedges.
The family of Jim wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Murray Medical Center which is now known as AdventHealth, the WONDERFUL physician Dr. Counsell, the Nursing Staff and Vanessa. The family would also like to thank First Baptist Church of Chatsworth (for building the ramp) and would also like to thank Homespun Hospice for being there for both parents. The family would also like to thank Keith Davis with Homespun Hospice for his continued support during the last two and a half months.
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