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The Wenatchee World | Tuesday, November 10, 2020
GERALD ‘JERRY’ HEDEEN U.S. Air Force Lieutenant 1953–1957
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erry was born in 1931 and raised in a St. Paul, Minnesota suburb. He spent considerable time on his grandparent’s farm using draft horses to power equipment. He joined ROTC and graduated from St. Thomas College with a cartography degree. His love of flying and country was realized as an Air Force Fighter pilot. While stationed in Olathe, Kansas in 1956 he met Dee and made her his bride three months later. Following his Air Force service he served as a civilian liaison with the military contributing to the design of radar installations. His work required frequent moves to Michigan, Arizona, California, Alabama and Washington. Living in Everett Jerry was to attend a meeting in Wenatchee. Sheets of rain poured as he drove to the top of Stevens Pass when the clouds parted to sunny skies. That event prompted a career and lifestyle change. Jerry and Dee purchased a small orchard filled with ancient winesap, pear and cherry trees on which stood an old tilted farmhouse. Jerry worked fulltime as Director of the Community Action
Council to support the family while working all his off hours building the orchard business and repairing the house. He was a voracious reader and instilled values of hard work and love of God, family, nature and country in his three sons and daughter. A favorite saying to support his instruction was “it builds character.” He provided a ranch life for his family that included horses, dogs, hunting and fishing, hockey on a frozen lake and countryside rides in a WWII Willys Jeep. Jerry volunteered on many community and church boards and projects throughout his life. His hard work eventually allowed the purchase of additional property and son Kurt joined the orchard operation as partner. Jerry worked in the orchard daily into his mid-80s and missed it greatly when he could no longer participate, but continued to watch the skies and the variety of planes that fly in our area. He died in September 2019 and was buried with full military honors. Jerry’s story was proudly submitted by son and daughter Kurt Hedeen and Valerie Hedeen McInnes. Supported with the sponsorship from 3J’s Orchard.
LYNN M. HEMINGER U.S. Air Force 1956–1962
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ynn Heminger graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1952, and attended Washington State College. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in Horticulture and a Commission of 2nd Lieutenant, having completed four years of USAF ROTC. He went on active duty in 1957 and began flight training at Malden Missouri, learning to fly the T-34, then the T-28. After marriage at the end of 1957, he and Joan moved to Enid, Oklahoma where he received jet training in the T-33 and was awarded his pilots wings. Next was training in Valdosta, Georgia, in the T-86L all weather interceptor. Moses Lake was his first duty station in the 322nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. There they transitioned to the F101B Voodoo. The squadron moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where he completed his active duty 1 Oct 1962. He was blessed to serve in between
the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving only in peace time. He returned to Wenatchee in 1962, with his wife Joan and their two sons Kent and Barry to take over the family Orchard. He continued serving in the Air Force Reserve for an additional 22 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lynn enjoyed orcharding for over 30 years. He was a member of the Eastmont School Board for 12 years, serving as President for two terms. He also served as Douglas County PUD Comissioner for 24 years and was elected President of the Washington State PUD Association in 2009. He has also been a long time member of the Wenatchee Apollo Club. Lynn’s story was proudly submitted by his Wife Joan and his three children and their families.