Memorial
Tom Hedges, 69, a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 embraced by his loving family. A private burial was held on Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Tom was born in Cedar Rapids on April 12, 1949 to Sally (Stamats) and Horace “Fed” Hedges. He was a 4th generation Cedar Rapidian. Tom graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1967 and from the University of North Carolina in 1971.
Tom worked at Stamats Communications for 47 years, a company founded by his maternal grandfather, Herbert Stamats. Tom established the Stamats Documentary Film Division, which created and produced award-winning portraits of scenic America, as well as historical biographies, in cooperation with state and national Public Television organizations.
Tom was known for his magnetic personality, his natural charm, his sense of humor, his abounding creativity, his personal warmth, his sense of style, his legacy of friends, his love of the land, and his unwavering pride in being an Iowan.
Tom is survived by his wife, Debbie; his children, Tom (Laura), Mac (Silke), and Billie Haney (LB); his grandson Bill Hedges; his sisters, Sarah Richardson (Moe), Nancy Mahany (Dick), Mary Seyfer (Greg); his cousins, Peter Stamats (Karen), Bill Stamats (Anne); and 8 nieces and nephews, Annabelle Apley (Ben), Sam Richardson (Sarah), Peter Wendler, Charlie Wendler (Beth), Ted Wendler (Rachel), Andy Timmons (Carolyn), David Timmons, and Sally Timmons.
Tom loved laughing and storytelling.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Save The Horses (
www.savethehorses.org) and Iowa Public Television (
www.iptv.org).