James William Hedgpeth

   James William “Jim” Hedgpeth, Sr., 81, of Tyner, NC, died Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Gates House Assisted Living, Gatesville.

   Mr. Hedgpeth was born in the Mapleton community of Hertford County on September 8, 1942, and was one of 10 children born to the late Charlie Scarborough Hedgepeth and Daisy Lee Whitley Hedgepeth. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ginny Richards Hedgpeth; sisters, Florence Lane, Carolyn Truelove, Betty Vurgess, and Elsie Womble, and by his brother, Ervin Hedgepeth.

   An entrepreneur, he had several business partnerships in restaurants, bars, a liquor store, and a video store. A former vice-president with Dixie Bag Company, he later founded and operated his own company, Heritage Bag Company, operating in seven states and manufacturing plastic garbage bags. He loved telling everyone that his nickname was “the trashman” and was proud of creating the facilities and equipment and the success that he and his employees enjoyed together.

   An avid lover of his dogs and of nature, he lived an adventurous life of boating, riding his Dirt bikes, and following NASCAR and Drag Racing. He had served in the United States Navy, was a member of the Edward G. Bond Post #40 of the American Legion.

   Surviving are his children, Lori Sly of Lutz, FL, Kimberly Hedgpeth of Beach Park, IL, Lisa Lopez of North Chicago, IL, James W. “Jim” Hedgpeth, Jr. of Jasper, GA, and Michael O’Brien of Charleston, SC; two sisters, Diane Hoggard and Sandra Lowder; two brothers, Chris and Calvin Hedgepeth; grandchildren, Katelyn Sly, Kristyana Sly, Joshua Hedgpeth, Conner Hedgpeth, Tyler Roberts; Marilyn Diaz, Gary Rosario, Diana Reyes, Marcia Reyes, Eduar Reyes, and Michaela Marie O’Brien; and several great-grandchildren.

   Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 16^th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 304 Main Street, Gatesville. The burial will follow in Eure Christian Church Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home the hour prior to services.

   The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, by phone at (800) 272-3900, or online at www.alz.org; or to the Tri-County Animal Shelter, 138 Icaria Road, Tyner, NC 27980.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.