James Lee Hedin

James Lee Hedin, 56, of Riverside Drive, passed away in Lubbock, TX on May 17, 2017. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Monday, May 22, 2017 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 1:00 PM, at First Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Land officiating. Interment will follow in Twin Oaks Cemetery, Artesia, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. James Lee Hedin was born in Artesia, NM to Edna Jenks Hedin and the late Alvin Morris Hedin on May 29, 1960. He graduated from Artesia High School in 1978 and had wonderful stories of growing up and having the freedom of a small town where everyone knew him. He married Kathy Elana Hardgrave on February 6, 1982 in El Paso, TX and made their home in Carlsbad, NM for the past 34 years. James and Kathy have been members of First Baptist Church for 33 years and have also been involved in the Walk to Emmaus. He truly believed in the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He enjoyed playing music at church, at Emmaus and SonRise, a contemporary Christian band. James was passionate about almost everything! He worked hard and loved people well. James celebrated life and always took the time to speak truth and love. He knew the value of every moment and knew our time on this Earth is short. He never failed to say what a gift he had been given in life and in family. James loved big, and he loved well. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, of 35 years; daughters, Whitney L. Gaspar and husband, Martin of Waco, TX and Laney M. Warren and husband, Joe of Irving, TX; Mother: Edna Jenks Hedin, grandchildren Liam Martin Gaspar, Mason James Gaspar and Audrey Jenks Gaspar; brothers, John Alvin Hedin and wife, Rachel of Winston-Salem, NC and Edward Morris Hedin and wife, Becki of Ruidoso, NM; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts. Pallbearers will be: Ross Kirkes, Rocky West, Dan Thompson, Jerry Graham, Allen Hefner, and Danny Masters. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Landsun Homes Memorial Garden Fund, 2002 Westridge Rd. Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.