Delbert Jack (DJ)Hedges Sr., passed away on his 84th birthday, January 5, 2018.
He was born in 1934, in Trinidad, Colorado , in the home of parents, James and Mildred Hedges,
He was active in sports in high school and he served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956.
In 1955, he married Betty Joan Hayden, also of Trinidad.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he returned to Trinidad to raise a family and shortly afterwards started working for the Colorado & Southern Railroad as a fireman.
He eventually became a railroad engineer and after the Burlington Northern bought out the C&S, continued with the BN for the remainder of his career, retiring after 40 years of service.
While still working for the railroad, he purchased a farm/ranch in his middle-age, where he grew hay, worked cattle, and raised horses.
He was active in church and loved water skiing, racing solid-rim tote gotes ,(winning many trophies), horse riding , even though a kick from a horse when he was 11 years old, nearly killed him and cost him one of his kidneys, the 8 inch scar from which he repeatedly told his young sons was a snake bite!
He enjoyed hunting elk and deer, fishing and boating, did a little snorkeling and even SCUBA-dived once or twice.
He especially enjoyed team-riding with his grandson, and spending time with his granddaughters. He was a volunteer on the Las Animas County
Sheriff’s Department for a number of years and also volunteered in later life with the Gideons where he loved to distribute Bibles to hotels and schools.
DJ is survived by his wife Joan, 2 sons Delbert Jr., and Bryan ( and his wife Andrea), 3 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, a sister in law and brother in law Louise and Bill Gordon and numerous nieces and nephews.
At DJ’s request, his remains will be cremated and a Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 2PM at First Christian Church, located at 200 S. Walnut Street in Trinidad.
Rather than purchasing flowers for his service, the family requests those who would like to instead, donate to the Trinidad Soup Kitchen.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
