Michael Howard Hedrick
Obituary
Michael Howard Hedrick was born December 24, 1969 in Aurora, IL to John Veril & Marie Ann (Fullmer) Hedrick and passed from this life in Tulsa, OK on February 28, 2017 at the age of 47.
There are other facts about Michael. Dates and places that put his life in chronological order, but those things don’t really put into focus the person he actually was. Michael was a warrior. One of millions who wake up every day and fight to survive. Michael has stood on the beaches of Hawaii but he has also spent nights on the streets, and his memory now stands with all of those who are chosen to carry the weight of mental illness and addiction. Don’t give up. You are loved. Continue the fight for your life.
Michael was loved by the following people: John and Marie Ann Hedrick, Susan Hurtado, Ivan Hurtado, Rachel, Jessica, Jonathan and Ryan Hurtado, Jeff Curtis, Kimberlee Tate, Carol Tate and her family, Shirley Jacobs, Veril and Violet Hedrick, Merill and Mary Fullmer, other family and many other friends.
There were other people too. People who lacked the education and compassion for those who suffer and made Michael’s life harder than it had to be. Michael’s life experienced joy and grace anyway, so may all karma be resolved, and mercy wash over us all.
The family wishes to thank Family and Children’s Services for the care they provide to our community and to the Chicago Cubs for finally getting your shit together before Michael died.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister and her husband, Susan & Ivan Hurtado; and his nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Mike and I worked at Yellowstone National Park together in the early 90s. The last time we were in touch, he was living in Washington state. My family and I were planning a trip to Seattle and I tried to look him up and saw this. I have wonderful memories of Mike and am very sorry for your loss. Paula
Paula Osborn
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Michael. I've only just learned of his death, and was so sorry to discover such unhappy news. Mike and I went to Jenks together, though my memories about which specific classes we shared are lost to time and my poor memory by now. I can clearly picture him as an elementary student (I'm thinking perhaps we were in the same 3rd or 4th grade class), and can see him as he got older in my mind's eye as well. I was at Jenks K-12, graduating with him in 1988, and wish I could recall when I first met him. In any event, I wanted to thank the writer of Mike's obituary for being both candid and caring with a message that honors him and his family with its honesty, respect, and love. I am sorry to say that I have no knowledge of what became of Mike (and most of my other classmates) after graduation, but can surmise from this obituary that mental illness and addiction were involved at some point. I hope, as this obituary suggests, he found moments of joy. I'm truly sorry for whatever pain Mike and his family likely experienced; it was not deserved. My own experience tells me that nearly every family is touched by one or both of these issues, though few families are willing to share their realities. I so appreciate the decision to shed some light on what's typically kept in the dark, particularly as it was made while freshly grieving. His obituary was a lovely, loving tribute that acknowledged that Mike struggled (as I have, as so many people do) while sharing something of his humanity. I hope that the obituary's writer and Mike's entire family is finding whatever comfort possible in these first months following his death. I will hold onto my memory of the little boy with his freckles (and his boy scout uniform? Am I just imagining the blue shirt and the yellow scarf?) and keep you in my thoughts. Best regards, Erin Kelly New York, NY
Erin Kelly
I am his ex sister in law. I just wanted to know his cause of death.
Cory Bingham
Michael was a very special person to me. I met him through my daughter, Kimberlee Suzanne, when they first started dating. They spent many memorable occasions together and loved their life to the fullest extent of their joys. The Chicago Cubs have lost one of their most valuable fans in Michael. But they did come through for him this past year for which he was greatly delighted. My wish is the family and friends of Michael find warmth and peace in his memory. I am certain he is holding Kimberlee's hand at this moment. Kindest thoughts and prayers to you all. Carol and family.
Carol Lee Tate
sending love to Susan and family. Michael left way too young. Many memories over many years.
Janie Hedrick