James Arthur Hedges “Jim”, 85, of Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania, passed away March 4, 2024, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was born May 10, 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, to Robert and Mary Margaret (Ayres) Hedges. Jim graduated from Citi High School in Iowa City in 1956, State University of Iowa in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music, and University of Maryland in 1972 with a Master’s degree in Geography. He retired from the U.S. Marine band in 1980 after 20 of service as a tuba player. Jim married Carolyn Dick on June 16, 1990 in Hancock, Maryland.
Jim built his own house in Fulton County in the 1970s. After retirement, he worked part-time at Keystone Printing and The Fulton County News. Jim was an avid printer and ran his own business called Camel Press. He also volunteered as a printer at Old Bedford Village.
Jim was a long-time member of the Prohibition Party and ran for United States President in the 2016 Presidential Election. He was on three state ballots and received approximately 5,500 votes. He was a member of the National Speleological Society and many other organizations, and he had hobbies such as cave geology, writing, volunteering in 4H, and playing in bands in Mercersburg, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Hagerstown, or wherever he could find them. Jim also had a great love for animals.
Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years Carolyn, step-children whom he considered his children Tony Fisher-Howell (and Ron) of Hagerstown, Kelly Howell of McConnellsburg, and Susanne Ketterman (and Todd) of Biglerville, Pennsylvania, adopted daughter Karen, grandchildren Tyler Bohrer, Jay Howell, and Sofia Fisher-Howell, and great grandchildren Avarie, Weston, Bryson, Jackson, and Gracie. He is also survived by siblings Ben Hedges and George Hedges (and Maggie), sister-in-law Kathy, niece Amy Newlin (and Barry), and other nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Sally and brother Alan.
A celebration-of-life meal will be held on Saturday, March 16, at 3:00PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, sympathy cards and notes may be sent to Carolyn Hedges, PO Box 212, Needmore, Pennsylvania 17238. The family has entrusted Jim’s care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.