Damon R. Hedgpeth

"A little hard work never hurt anyone" a piece of advice and words of encouragement heard from the loving and kind man we called dad, grandpa and friend. Damon R. Hedgpeth made his journey home to be with the Lord and the loved ones that have passed before us on Wednesday, October 18. His nearly 94 years were ones for the history books. Damon Hedgpeth was born on October 21, 1923 to the late Hugo Hedgpeth and Lena Nokes in a small home full of big love near Nixa, Missouri. Damon spent his youth learning musical instruments and fishing with his dad, uncles and friends. He was also a very talented athlete. At Nixa High School Damon set the 100 yard dash record of 10.2 seconds that held for over 50 years. He ran the event without track shoes or a starting block, and was less than one second off the world record set by Jesse Owens. This accolade resulted in Damon being inducted in 1990 to the Nixa Sports Hall of Fame. Tragically, Damon lost his dad at the young age of 24. Despite the difficulties of navigating through young adulthood without his father, Damon fell deeply in love with and was married to Marcelee Pearce-Hedgpeth until her passing in 2002. Together they had two sons, Kelly and Kent. Their marriage of 57 years provided a strong example for their family. Damon is survived by son, Kelly and wife Bunny along with son, Kent and wife Pam. He's also survived by grandchildren Chad, Marcy, Josey and Molly and great-grandchildren Maggie, Damon, Lillie, Kingston and Sterling. For many years Damon was a major fish provider for Nixa's Annual Sucker Days. He was an avid fisherman. Starting in the 1950s through 2013 Damon made many fishing trips to Canada-trips that produced many stories that we should not put in print. In fact, Damon was quite the animated storyteller. The only thing better than hearing a "Damon story" was watching him tell it. Damon was a "self-taught jack of all trades." For a time he owned and drove a milk route, was a tv repairman, home builder, realtor, outboard motor mechanic, and his final profession was "farmer." He and Marcelee inherited and grew their century family farm in Clever, Missouri to nearly 400 acres and many heads of dairy cattle. A highlight in Damon's life over the last 10 years was the "Sunday Milk Barn Sessions" hosted at his farm. He told stories and "held court" every week to a captive audience including his two sons and other family and friends. On Saturday, October 21, which would have been Damon's 94th birthday, we will host a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, Missouri. A graveside service to celebrate his life will follow at Delaware Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Marcelee Hedgpeth. We would like to thank the employees of Sonshine Manor and Bradford Court for the care they provided Damon in his last months. So now, all that hard, earthly work is done. We are proud of your accomplishments, thankful for your love and will go forward in spreading kindness in your honor. With Love, The Damon Hedgpeth Family