Daryl Hedman's Obituary
On August 2, 2018, Daryl, The Golden Boy of Ray and Janet Hedman, left us at St. Anthony's Hospital to go looking for the next 3 bay garage of car parts. Proud that he was born in Gig Harbor, July 15, 1939, he was raised with siblings, Gary and Ardyth, who predeceased him, and Donna. After his years in Peninsula schools, he attended Olympic Community College before enlisting in the Army Reserves where he took great delight in being trained in clinical psychologist procedures. Daryl started his career as a longshoreman and enjoyed his work on the docks from the late 60's to the mid 90's. As a member of ILWU Local 23, he represented west coast ports on the executive board of the pensioners' association, a responsibility he greatly enjoyed along with the travel that went with it. The friendships he made there lasted through his lifetime.
Daryl served on the Tacoma Public Utilities Board for 5 years while actively supporting his favorite charities:United Way, Red Cross, and Tacoma Rescue Mission. He also donated his time to the Annual LeMay Collections at Marymount, driving his fork lift to move rafts of cars. In his teens, he was a charter member of Peninsula Baptist Church and later a charter member of the LeMay America's Car Museum. He held memberships in the Gig Harbor Cruisers, Golden Wheels, the Tacoma Propeller Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles 45, the Gig Harbor History Museum, and played baseball for years with the Gig Harbor Merchant's team. He enjoyed learning to rock climb at American Leadership Forum retreats while practicing team-building skills. Whatever he was doing, whether helicopter logging or attending Nascar races or the Indy 500, Daryl was enjoying himself immensely while adding to his wide circle of friends.
Daryl was a collector of anything that there was more than one of, but eventually channeled his passion into collecting classic cars and classic car parts. He put thousands of miles on his truck driving repeatedly across the country to Michigan, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Montana or Texas hauling classic cars one way and bringing back another or perhaps a truck or an airplane or some kind of must have. For 20+ years, he attended swap meets in Hershey, Pennsylvania, spent many a year at Reno's Hot August Night and could usually be found at local swap meets ever selling, trading and buying classic car parts. He was generous with his cars by loaning them to Gig Harbor businesses or driving them in parades. Displaying his oldest classic car at retirement homes brought him joy as he saw the good memories it triggered in the residents.
Travel was an important part of Daryl's life, not only for business but for pleasure with his longtime friend, Sharon Starr, and her sister and husband, Pam and Steve. They cruised the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mediterranean and to Alaska, and he especially enjoyed standing at the rail on a European river cruise in order to supervise the dock workers. They also travelled often to Puerto Vallarta, Daryl's favorite destination.
Six years ago Daryl's beloved and trusted, Dr. Kramp, informed him that it was time to move to assisted living. Daryl accepted leaving his dream retirement home and warehouse and downsizing to Mallard's Landing without any drama. The staff at Mallard's Landing welcomed him and gave him care and compassion for which his family is grateful. When he needed to move to the memory care unit, he accepted that with the same grace, cooperative spirit and glass half-full optimism.
Daryl was willing to go anywhere and do anything while genuinely caring for people. He enjoyed children and the nieces and nephews of the Fazio and Monroe families were loved by him. He was also a father figure to the Wolanski children.
While Daryl liked flowers, he would probably welcome any donations instead to http://www.lemaymarymount.org/donate.
Sharon and Donna invite you to his memorial service Sunday, August 12 at 2:00 in The Celebration of Life Center of Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood with a reception to follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Daryl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Daryl?
Share a story where Daryl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Daryl you’ll never forget.
How did Daryl make you smile?