Jan LeMoyne Hedges

Jan LeMoyne Hedges, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, decorated Peace Corpsman, and dedicated public servant, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, at the age of 85, making him the oldest Hedges in the family tree. He was born on July 4, 1940, in Hopedale, Ohio, to the great delight and playful chaos of his father's friends, who famously sprayed the house with a fire hose to celebrate his arrival during the local Fourth of July fair.

Jan's early life was marked by frequent moves across Ohio and Arizona, followed by a challenging teenage period that ultimately forged his resilient spirit. A seminal moment in his life occurred in 1957 when, just shy of his 18th birthday, he successfully enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving an honorable discharge when his age was discovered. Following his discharge, he found his footing as a surveyor, working his way up from a "tail chainman" on Texas State Highway projects.

In 1961, Jan was selected as one of the first volunteers for President John F. Kennedy's newly formed Peace Corps. Despite being the only selectee without a college degree, his vocational experience as a surveyor secured his placement. He became the 13th U.S. Peace Corpsman and was selected to be the first volunteer to shake hands with President Kennedy at the White House Rose Garden Ceremony. He served two years in Tanganyika, East Africa (now Tanzania), where he worked on topographical surveys, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and played on the Arusha Rugby Team.

His Peace Corps service earned him a scholarship to Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, becoming the first in the Hedges family line to earn a college degree. While there, he joyfully married Birgit Gyda (Gitte) Schmelling in 1966. Jan later earned his Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1971.

Jan and Gitte settled near Castle Rock, Washington, where they raised their family and Jan built their ecological home. He had a distinguished career in public service, including nearly two decades with the city of Vancouver as a code enforcement officer, where he led a dangerous building abatement program. He became President of the American Association of Code Enforcement and obtained the prestigious Certified Building Official certification. Late in life, he achieved a personal goal, earning his high school GED (while serving as a School Board member). Jan was preceded in death by Gitte, who passed away in 1994.

 In 1998, Jan met the other love of his life, Pamela Sue [Brantley] Smith. They married in 2000 and were blessed with over 25 years together. They enjoyed travel, flying small aircraft and sailing, both on 5 cruises as well as their sailboat “FarFar Away” in Sequim Bay. Visiting family in Norway and Denmark along with trips to England and Ireland were highlights of their early years together.

 Jan was preceded in death by his brother Larry Hedges, who passed away in 2008. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pam; his three sons with Gitte: Thor LeMoyne (Sharon), Mark Christoffer (Diane), and Bjørn Glencairn (Jennifer); and Pam's three children: Kristi Noelle (Leo), Aaron Matthew, and David Gutherie (Sarah). He was a doting grandfather to fourteen grandchildren and one great grandson, who live in seven states.

A man who valued family history, Jan successfully obtained Irish citizenship through his grandmother, a fact he was incredibly proud of. His life was a testament to perseverance, public commitment, and a deep sense of adventure.There will be a Celebration of Life on November 22nd, at the Toutle Community Church (5067 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA) at 3pm, with a dinner following in the Fellowship Room downstairs.

--Kristi N. Brown