Alvin Hedin

Services for Alvin Morris Hedin are scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2009; 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Artesia. Alvin Morris, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a dedicated teacher, church music director, accomplished vocal soloist Entered into life on November 12, 1924- Entered eternal life February 20, 2009. Morris was born to Alvin Wright Hedin and Jewel Jones Hedin in Shawnee, Oklahoma while his parents were students at Oklahoma Baptist University. He started first grade in Guthrie, Oklahoma where his father was pastor of Noble Avenue Baptist Church, most of his elementary schooling was in Yukon, Oklahoma where his father was pastor of the First Baptist Church. He did attend Rosemont Junior High in Ft. Worth while his father studied at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. The family was back in Yukon for his high school years. After he graduated in May, 1942, he enrolled in June at Oklahoma Baptist University. In the fall he enlisted in the US Navy as World War II was in progress. After Boot Training in San Diego, Morris was sent to the University of Colorado in Boulder for radio school. He was then assigned to the Marines at Oceanside to prepare for invasion on the island of Guam. Due to the tragedy of Pearl Harbor, ships were in such demand; Morris was with a small group and was transported from San Diego to Pearl Harbor in a flat bottom boat. When they arrived a call came from Schofield Army Barracks asking for help in repairing their radio equipment which the Japanese had destroyed. Morris was called on to do the repair work while the main group went on to invade Guam. After the radios were repaired, Morris was sent on to Guam where he spent most of the conflict. Morris was discharged in April, 1946, and returned to Oklahoma Baptist University in June to begin the summer session. He met his future wife, Edna Jenks, another second generation student, the third night of school. They were married on April 1, 1947. Following graduation they were involved in church music ministry and public schools. At the conclusion of his Masters Degree at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Hedins moved to Artesia, New Mexico to begin their 30 years in the public schools and the at First Baptist Church. Morris was choir director at the church with his wife as accompanist. In the schools he taught English, Music, Drivers Education, was a guidance counselor, and was assistant principal at Zia. After retiring in 1987, they moved to Roswell, N.M. In the 60s when young men were burning their draft cards, Morris re-inlisted and had his 3 sons attend his enlistment ceremony. In addition to his church and school responsibilities, he traveled to Carlsbad and later to Albuquerque and retired from the Navy Reserve in 1980 as a Navy Chief. Morris was a member of the famous Bison Glee Club in OBU, and also was a member of the mens quartets during high school. In every town in which he lived he organized and was a member of a mens quartet. He also enjoyed being a member of the New Mexico Singing Churchmen. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Edna, his 3 sons, John Alvin and wife Rachel r of Winston-Salem, NC, Edward Morris of Ruidoso, NM, James Lee and wife Kathy Jo of Carlsbad, NM; his step mother, Dorothy Hedin of Sapulpa, OK; 9 grandchildren, Sean and Aaron Hedin of Tulsa, OK, Rebecca Myer of Winston-Salem, NC, Robb Myer of Pittsburgh, PA, Nathanael Hedin of Ruidoso, NM; Elisha Hedin of Portales, Rebekah Hedin Dixon and her husband Lane of Fort Collins, CO, Whitney Hedin Gaspar and husband Martin and Laney Hedin of Waco, TX. His sister-in-law Margaret VanHorn of Tulsa OK. His nephew David Moe of Beaverton, Oregon and niece Laura Moe of Zanesville, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sue Hedin Moe. Visitation at Terpening Son Mortuary will be Sunday, February 22, 2009 from 1:00 to 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials to The Gideons and Baptist Childrens Home in Portales NM