Joe Crawford Hedden, age 92, resident of Kings Mountain, NC died June 8, 2014, at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC.  He was born in Clay Co, NC to the late Jeff Hedden and Eula Crawford Hedden.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Frances “Frankie” Crouse Hedden.  Mr. Hedden was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Kings Mtn. He was a former Jaycee and active in Scouting.  He was employed with Kings Mountain District Schools for 32 years, first serving as the Band Director for the District and later as the principal at West Elementary School. 

He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western-Carolina University, School of Music and his Master’s Degree in School Administration from George Peabody College for Teachers.  He was an avid musician and was inducted into the North Carolina Bandmaster’s Hall of Fame in 2010.    Mr. Hedden was Lieutenant, serving in the United States Navy during World War II.  While in the Navy he served in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.   During the Normandy invasion,  his destroyer, the USS Meredith, was sunk in action off the coast of Normandy on June 8, 1944.   Joe had a deep appreciation and interest in the outdoors and the natural world.  He loved to hunt and fish with his family and cherished friends.  He was also an ardent student of history, world events, and all academic pursuits.  He was a kind and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and will be grealy and sadly missed by his family and friends.  

SURVIVORS: Sons: Joe “Joey” Crawford Hedden, Jr. and wife Jane, Winston-Salem, NC; Jeff Hedden and wife Kathy, Greenville, TN; Sister: Sue Benson, Bristol, VA; 3 Grandchildren: Joey Leonard, Manhattan, NY; Adam Leonard, Greenville, NC; and Dr. Allen Atchley, and wife Rebecca, Signal Mountain, TN; 4 Great Grandchildren: Twins-Emma and Olivia Atchley, Caroline Atchley, and Eli Crawford Atchley. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE:  St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Thursday, June 12, 2014    2:00 P.M.   Pastor Josh Turner, officiating.

VISITATION: Thursday, June 12, 2014 immediately following the service at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. 

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 201 N. Piedmont Ave, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC