Ron Hedrick

Ronald Wayne Hedrick, 78, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, peacefully at home with his family.

Ron was born on March 3, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Joel Henry Hedrick Jr (Fort Smith, AR) and Mattie Sue Samuels (Fort Smith, AR). The family moved to Tioga, Louisiana, in 1961, with the relocation of Manning, Maxwell, and Moore, which later became a part of Dresser Industries.

‘Big R’ graduated from Tioga High School in 1965, then went on to enlist in the US Air Force, serving two years in Vietnam with an Honorable Discharge.

Ron married Deborah June Neal on May 15, 1971, in Lafayette, LA. They were married for 54 years and had 3 sons and 3 grandsons.

Ron joined his parents and brother at Gulf Valve Service (GVS) in 1969, and over the next 6 decades, they built an international reputation for the quality and timeliness of their work. Big R built his legend by being able to fix anything that came into Gulf Valve, regardless of its complexity, leaving those around him in constant amazement. Ron and his brother Bob did not have employees; they had an extended family that spent decades working with them. Gulf Valve was not just a business; it was a vessel to lift the lives of those who surrounded them every day.

Big R especially loved Bass Fishing and Dirt Track Racing, and was highly accomplished at both. The walls of Ron’s living room were covered in Bass weighing over 10lbs. Ron, along with his brother Bob, owned GVS Racing of Baton Rouge, which won multiple Dirt Track World Championships over the course of two decades (1991, 1993, 1996).

Ron was known for his sense of humor and always had a joke ready to share with his friends. His selflessness and generosity knew few limits as he and his brother Bob helped countless others without ever asking for recognition or seeking praise.

Remaining to cherish Ron’s memory are his wife of 54 years, Deborah; sons, Ronald, Chad (Angela), Eric (Lesley); grandsons, Derek, Jesse, and Van; brother, Bob (Lely); nieces and nephews, Joel Hedrick (Susan), Jenny Crume, Jeff Hedrick (Dana), Chuck Pitre(Pam), Sabrina Kallies(Joe), Simone Bignar (Jimmy), Vicky Dartez (Don).

Preceding Ron in death are his parents, Joel and Mattie Sue Hedrick, and a sister, Linda.

Private services will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Resthaven for family and close friends. Donations to The Gary Sinise Foundation are asked for in lieu of flowers, as Ron was extremely passionate about Veteran’s issues.