James LeMoyne “Bubba” Hedlund, 76, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2020 from cancer at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.
Jim was born March 13, 1944 in Winner, SD to Floyd John and Florence Louella (Talcott) Hedlund.
He graduated from Winner High School in 1963, going on to college at National College of Business studying to be an accountant. In 1964 Jim decided to enlist in the United States Navy.
He served aboard the USS Yorktown and the USS America, reaching the rank of AE-2. He enjoyed his experiences while serving, but after 8 ½ years, he and his wife decided to leave the service so their children could get to know their grandparents.
Before leaving the service he went to Barber College at night while stationed in California to have an occupation once separating from the Navy.
He married the love of his life, Linda Kay Derry, on Aug. 27, 1966 in Winner, SD. They were blessed with a son, Brent Wade, in November 1968 and a daughter, Noelle Michelle, in February 1971.
His immediate and extended family was his greatest joy.
After leaving the Navy, Jim and family moved to Rapid City and he became the barber he studied so hard to be, but had the opportunity to join the Civil Service where he became a mechanic in the vehicle maintenance squadron at Ellsworth AFB for nearly 29 years.
Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed visiting with everyone he met. After moving his family to New Underwood, he was active in the New Underwood Booster Club, being especially interested in the football team on which his son played. He worked hard to help raise money for a new scoreboard and crow’s nest in which he was an announcer for a short time.
Jim also volunteered to be an assistant coach for the football team, of which he was so proud.
Jim and Linda moved the family back to Rapid City and the couple began square dancing, and Jim went on to become a square dance caller and an avid golfer.
Jim had always enjoyed his favorite NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings, watching them religiously. He would yell at the TV, especially when his game would be interrupted by another game coming on.
He also enjoyed the Denver Broncos and enjoyed discussing the games on the phone with his son.
His is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Brent (Jysie Abucay) Hedlund and Noelle (Larry) Scoles; grandchildren, Robert (Jensen), Timothy, and Daniel (Halee) Oberhauser and Sheridan Hedlund; 5 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gary (Carol) Hedlund; one sister, Valerie (Tom) Stevens; and many nieces and nephews; and since 2002 he had gained step-grandchildren, Larry Scoles II, Amanda (Kevin) Osborne, Katrina (Scoles) Zimmer, Elizabeth Scoles, Gabrielle Roth, and Allyssa Abucay, Andrea Abucay, and Linda Rose Abucay; as well as 7 step-great-grandchildren.
Jim will be laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery.
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