Oley Hedrick

Oley HedrickOley Foster Hedrick, Jr. died Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Oley was born on September 2, 1924, the only son and middle child of Oley F. Hedrick, a geology professor at Oklahoma University, and Ada Elizabeth May Hedrick in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The next year Oleys father joined Texas & Pacific and moved the family to Thurber, Texas. The family resided in Thurber until 1934 when they were transferred to Midland.Oley graduated from Midland High School in 1941, valedictorian of his class, at the age of 16. He entered Rice University, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve when he turned 18, and was commissioned in February, 1944. He was assigned to an LCI (landing craft, infantry) and saw action in the Pacific at Okinawa. Following his honorable discharge in June of 1946, he returned to Rice for his senior year, graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering in June, 1947. While at Rice he was a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon, the Honorary Chemical Society, and the scholastic honor society Tau Beta Pi.Following graduation, Oley was employed by Humble Oil and Refining Company in Baytown, Texas. He returned to Midland in 1950, and joined Pech Oil Company, taking the place of his father who had died that April. He cofounded Campbell and Hedrick, and later, Upland Production Company, a family-owned corporation, which operates oil and gas properties in Texas and New Mexico. He remained active in the industry, maintaining an office in Midland and directing operations until his death.Oley met Rachel Rebecca Owen of Whitney, Texas, when they were both working at Humble, and they were married in 1951. They had four sons, Mike, Tom, Russ and Ken, and enjoyed 40 years of marriage together until Rachels death in 1991.Oley and Rachel were faithful members of the First United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Board of Stewards, Chairman of the Sanctuary and Related Facilities Building Committee, Chairman of the Council of Ministries, Membership and Evangelism Committee, Nominating Committee, and attended the North West Texas Conference where he served on the Research and Planning Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee. He also was a Sunday School teacher, a Disciple Bible leader, and participated in mens prayer groups and Walk to Emmaus as a team member.As a firm believer in contributing to his community and passing on a Christian-based foundation of morals and ethics, Oley was an active volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America. Beginning in the 1950s, he served as a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and participated in District and Council Leadership Training. He served as the District Chair and Council President, and Chairman of the Council Long Range Planning Committee. He served as Chairman of the BSA South Central Region, covering five states, and participated in Leadership Training, serving in twenty four Wood Badge training courses. In recognition of his service, the BSA presented him with the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope awards.Oley continued his active professional and personal lifestyle in the 1990s, and contributed to many educational, health, social, political and charitable organizations. During this time he met Polly Hayes Luck, and they were married in 1997. They enjoyed square and round dancing, and have loved and supported each other over the last 16 years.Oley is survived by his wife Polly, and his sons Mike and his wife Debbie of Midland, Tom and his wife Heidi of Houston, Russ and his wife Tracey of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Ken and his wife Regina of Edmond, Oklahoma; Pollys son Lee Hayes and wife Patti of Spring Branch, Texas, and her daughter Mary Sharrick and husband Tom of Houston. He will be missed by his grandchildren Alex Hedrick of Austin, Chris Hedrick of Midland and Claire Hedrick of Houston; Kirk and Matthew Hedrick of Houston; Shelby Hedrick of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Jonathan Hedrick of Edmond, Oklahoma; Tyler Hayes of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kati Hayes of Denton and Amy Sharrick of Napa, California.He is also survived by his sisters Elinor Caldwell of Denton and Elaine Dry and husband Bob of Dallas, and their children Robby Caldwell, Ellen Caldwell, Laurie Caldwell and husband Jonathan Tucker, and Jim Caldwell; Bob Dry and wife DeAnn, Doug Dry, and Sue Kay and husband Ken, along with his sisters eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.Following a private family graveside service, a memorial service will be held in the Mabel Holt Glass Chapel at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 1:00 PM, with Rev. Mike Hunter of First Christian Church officiating and Rev. Mackey Pitts, assisting. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the prison ministry Kairos of Texas, Uynaug Unit, P.O. Box 50002, Midland, TX 79710, or Home Hospice, 901 W. Missouri, Midland, TX 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,