Michael Ray "Mike" Hedrick, age 71, of Shell Knob, Missouri entered this life on March 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas.  He was the loving son of Mary Elizabeth (Montgomery) Hedrick and Raymond Leroy Hedrick and lived his early life growing up in Parsons, Kansas. In the 60's, the family had a summer home on Grand Lake of the Cherokees where they spent many weekends boating, skiing and fishing.  They also valued travel and annual fun and educational family summer vacations.  Back home there was the Clark Street Gang, a neighborhood of children to play and get in trouble with.

Michael was a member of Boy Scouts of America and the DeMolay Society and showed early in life his love of the outdoors and sports, taking an early interest in hunting and being an excellent water skier and avid baseball player.  Michael was a collector of stamps and coins, a hobby inherited from his mother.  Michael also inherited his father's love of cars and received his first car, a Volkswagen bug, at the age of 15.  This was followed by a Mustang, two GTO's and a Chevelle in his early driving years.  "Dragging Main Street" seemed to be the main pastime for Michael and friends during his early driving years in Parsons. He was a 1969 graduate of Parsons High School, attended classes at the Neosho Junior College in Chanute, Kansas and earned a business degree from Pittsburg State University in 1974.

Michael wed Mary Jo Winkler in 1972 and they lived in Denver, Colorado.  Two children were born, Joshua Clay in 1975 and Jessica Marie in 1978 that were Michael's pride and joy.  Michael worked in the area of sales and later telecommunications and enjoyed hunting, camping and snow skiing in Colorado.  At the age of 30, Michael showed his strength and fortitude of character by joining Alcoholics Anonymous where he was a member and sponsor to others for the remaining years of his life.  He became a proud grandfather beginning in 1995 when his granddaughter Laura was born, followed by a second granddaughter Madison "Maddie" in 1998 and grandson J.C. in 2000.

Michael moved to Shell Knob, Missouri in 2000 and continued his career in telecommunications, working for Jack Henry from 2005 – 2022, located in Monet, Missouri.  In 2002 Michael met the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.  He married Karin Joyner on September 9, 2009 (09/09/09) and they lived a happy life in both Springfield and Shell Knob, Missouri.  Karin brought with her three children, Nicole, Michelle and Billy who Michael spent much quality and fun time with.  Michael loved his extended family and living on the lake and was never happier than when he was with family and cruising on the lake in either his ski boat or later his pontoon.

In addition to hunting and lake time Michael continued his love of cars by purchasing a vintage 1985 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet and, in 2020, a very fun bright blue Mustang.  On any given weekend day you could hear music blaring from the speakers in Michael's garage as he worked on various projects ranging from car maintenance to reloading shotgun shells. He also enjoyed hanging out with his friends at the Cigar shop in Springfield, putting in a few dollars in the slot machines in Oklahoma, going to Cardinal baseball games, traveling and sharing stories with all who would listen.  He took over the role of family genealogist when his father died in 2009.  And he was a devoted son to his mother, traveling to visit her frequently the eleven years she was in assisted living facilities in Kansas and Texas (2009-2020).  He also enjoyed staying in touch with old friends from Parsons, Chanute and Denver as well as with friends in Shell Knob and Springfield.  He was a boisterous man who loved to talk and just loved his life with his extended families and friends.  He had a very special relationship with his daughter Jes and they spoke almost daily.

In January, 2022 Michael and Karin vacationed with the extended Hedrick family and spent time with his 1-yr old great-grandson Isaiah Ray, getting to watch Isaiah take his first baby steps.

Michael experienced years of change, from the Vietnam War era and muscle cars to computers and cell phones and always embraced new technology. He was proud of his family, evidenced in both word and action and will long be remembered for his loving and caring ways.  He blessed his and Karin's children, grandchildren and great grandchild with love equally and knowingly as they brought him much happiness as he watched them grow into caring and responsible adults.  Family love always flourished for this wonderful son, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin and friend.  And if you were lucky enough to be his friend, you knew it. Michael passed from this life much too early on March 9, 2023, at 8:38 p.m. at the Select Long Term Acute Care Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. His family was blessed with being able to visit him during the last two months of his life and comforted with the knowledge that his devoted wife Karin was able to spend many loving hours with him during his final days.

A loving family

Michael will be missed by his loving wife Karin, of Shell Knob, MO; his daughter and son-in-law Jessica Marie and Jason Loomis;  his step-daughter Nicole Joyner and daughter Akili McCuller; step-son Billy Joyner and son William;  step-daughter and husband Michelle and Colby Munday and children Kylie and Cayden Munday;  three grandchildren Laura Ashley Hedrick and partner Thai Trimm, Madison Kai "Maddie" Hedrick and J.C. Hedrick and his wife Alix Jaenielle Matamis,  and Maddie's child, great-grandson Isaiah Ray Hedrick; his sister Darla Hedrick and her husband Francis Quinn; and many Hedrick and Montgomery relatives.  Michael was preceded in death by his father Raymond (Ray) Leroy Hedrick, who passed on April 15, 2009, and his mother Mary Elizabeth (Montgomery) Hedrick who passed on April 21, 2020.

Visitation will be held from 9-10 AM with the Celebration of Life service will be held for friends and family on March 25 ^th at 10:00 a.m. in Springfield, MO at Midwest Cremation and Funeral Service, 2026 West Woodland St with a graveside service to follow for friends and extended family in the Parsons area also on March 25 ^th at 3:30 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on the southside of Altamont, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made in Michael's memory to the American Heart Association ( www.heart.org ) or to the American Lung Association ( www.lung.org ).  Online condolences may be left at www.midwestfuneralservices.com.