Olin David "Buddy" Hedrick, age 89 of Cave WV passed away on Thursday October 3, 2019 at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center in Petersburg, WV

Buddy was born on December 1, 1929, son of the late Oscar O. and Lula M. (Mullenax) Hedrick at the home-place of his grandparents Edward and Sadie Mullenax in Cave, WV. He spent his early childhood living with his family in a small log cabin in Ruddle, WV near his grandfather David Hedrick's farm. The family then lived a few years in Petersburg, WV before moving to Cave in 1937.

Buddy graduated from Franklin High School and attended Bridgewater College until he was drafted into the Army in 1952 during the Korean War. During the final months of the war he participated in heavy fighting as a member of the Co I 38 th InfantryRegiment, earning a Combat Infantryman Badge while serving as the company radioman. He was discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

A life long pacifist, he rarely talked of his war experiences. He was a long-term member of the Harper Chapel Church of the Brethren.

Buddy worked in Pendleton County as a house painter, and later worked for Sites Chevrolet, the Bath County Dam Project, and Glovers Auto Supply.

Buddy loved cars. As a younger man he spent hours rebuilding and happily working on old cars and engines. As he got older he never got tired of climbing behind the wheel and going for a drive down a familiar country road.

He was a loving and devoted Uncle to his niece and nephew, admonishing them warmly at the end of each visit …"come back when you can!"

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Genevieve M. McDaniel. He is survived by his niece Susan M. Tkachick (Bob) of Newark Delaware, and nephew David A. McDaniel (Heather Selin) of Jackson Maine.

He is also survived by cousins Marie Eye and Doug Brown and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2:00 PM a the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin. Memorials may be made to Pendleton County Rescue Squad, POB 727, Franklin, WV 26807. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.