MAJ Ret Gilbert "Bert" Franklin Hedrick, Jr.

MAJ Ret Gilbert "Bert" Franklin Hedrick, Jr., age 77, of Northport, Ala., went on to be with the Lord on August 18, 2023. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Magnolia Chapel North. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Phillips Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Dale Butler and Bro. Terry Oswalt officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services at the church. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow in the adjoining church cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert Franklin Hedrick, Sr. and Annie Earl Hedrick; sister, Billie Bow Hannah; brothers, James Hedrick, Charles Hedrick, Sr., and Edward Hedrick.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey Watson Hedrick; daughters, Cynthia Otts Hannah (Frank), Sonya Hedrick Holley (Warren), and Kimberly Hedrick Thompson (Stacy); son, Thomas Jeffrey Hedrick; brother, Tommy Hedrick; grandchildren, Angela Hannah Harris (Phillip), Grady Franklin Hannah, II “Bo” (Diana), Brittni Miles Johnson (Brent), Justin Gilbert Hedrick (Rebecca), Andrew Thomas Hedrick, Harrison Grant Thompson, Audrey Ragan Thompson, and Sarah Madeline Thompson; great-grandchildren, Olivia Caroline, Hannah Kate, and Reed Harris, Liza Grace Hannah, Jax, Miles Leigh, and Bryant Johnson, and Evie Rose Hedrick.

He was affectionately known as “Bert” or “Paw Paw” by those who loved and knew him. He was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather who exemplified just what it meant to be a servant of the Lord. He was dedicated to Audrey, his wife of 49 years. He served 44 years in the U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard in different capacities including Military Police, food service technician, and infantryman. He served a tour in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was given the nickname, “Iceman”, and where he was awarded The Legion of Merit award. He was a printer by trade, retiring from the University of Alabama Print Shop. God’s providence was shown in Bert’s life placing him where the lost became found, the broken became whole. He would’ve given his last of everything to those in need. He was always helping others. He loved hunting and fishing, teaching Sunday School Classes at Harvest Church, and being involved in his community and community outreach. Bert will be missed by all. He would’ve wanted us to love without limits, fight for what is right, and most importantly be the light that the Lord placed us here to be and let our light shine in all we do.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Harris, Brent Johnson, Bo Hannah, Justin Hedrick, Drew Hedrick, Harrison Thompson, Lee Hannah, Charles Hedrick, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Alabama National Guard, Carroll’s Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Harvest Church, and Birdine Creek Hunting Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama.