James Robert Hedrick Jr. passed away on September 25, 2018.  He was the son of James R. Hedrick and Mary (Willey) Hedrick.  James was born on July 26, 1938 in Great Falls, Montana.  He was raised on the family ranch at Stanford, Montana.  During his school years he played basketball and was a member of the FFA as well as an Honorary member of the Ground Observer Corps of the United States Air Defense Command.  He graduated from Stanford High School on May 23, 1956.  After graduation, Jim went on to serve his country by enlisting first in the Army Ready Reserve then in the Air Force and the Montana Air National Guard. Jim was honorably discharged in 1962 after service 4 years.

When he was twenty years-old he met Sophia Ruth Shaw who was born October 22, 1941 to Talbot E. Shaw and Lydia L. (House) Shaw in Great Falls Montana.  She was nicknamed Sammy as a child.  Sammy attended Catholic School in Great Falls Montana.  She took a school break to attend a rodeo with her brothers.  At the Rodeo she met and fell in love with James Hedrick.

They were married at the St. Thomas Church in Harlem, Montana on July 17, 1959.  They were blessed with three children:  Terry, Beth (Kimsey) and Tim.

They spent their lives working side by side raising their children and working on ranches in Montana.  As a family they worked together in the hay fields, riding horses and working cattle.  Ranching and family were the two roles they took great pride in.  James was an excellent rancher.  Sammy was known for her beautiful wedding cakes, and once transported a cake across the country, mid-winter on the back of a snow mobile.

After the children were raised, they retired from ranching.  James worked hauling fuel for Flying J.  Sammy worked for the Shelby and Cut Bank newspapers where she won awards for her ad designs.  They loved their family and gardening together.

In the fall of 2016, they moved to Northeastern Wyoming to be closer to two of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They loved Wyoming and the Black Hills and took frequent drives to explore the area.

Jim passed away Sept. 25, 2018 in Sundance Wyoming, Shortly after Jim's passing, Sammy moved to The Legacy Living Facility in Gillette, where she resided till her death on January 9th, 2021. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew her.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents. He is survived by three brothers: Everett (Fritz) Hedrick and Jerry Hedrick both of Great Falls, MT, Charlie Hedrick of Stanford MT; three sisters, Vernelda Bumgarner of Belt, MT, Alice Peterson of Coffee Creek, MT and Virginia Dye of Stanford, MT.

Sammy was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents and all four brothers: Jessie Kimmel, Tom Kimmel, James Kimmel and Patrick Kimmel.

Their surviving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Terry (Staci) Hedrick Frenchtown, MT and their children and grandchildren: Courtney (Adam) Sherry, daughters Olivia, Scarlet, and Violet and Tyler Hedrick of Jackson, MT; Beth (Kennedy) Kimsey and their children and grandchildren, Mike Kimsey and Kenneth Kimsey both of Moorcroft, WY, Chris (Aliciah) Lotvedt, daughter Adahley and son Arbor, Rebecca Lotvedt and son Riley and Amanda Kimsey all of Gillette, WY; and Tim (Channin) Hedrick and their children and grandchild James Hedrick and Timothey Hedrick, and daughter Hadley  all of Upton WY.

Burial for both Jim and Sammy will be at Black Hill National Cemetery at Sturgis, South Dakota.  Memorials may be sent to:  Beth Kimsey, PO Box 845, Moorcroft, WY 82721.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com