Harold G

Hedgecock

Harold G. Hedgecock

Harold G. Hedgecock of Dona Ana, New Mexico passed away on July 21, 2025. He was known as" Gene" by his wife, his New Mexico family and friends, especially to his military buddies and known as" Harold" to his family and friends in Oklahoma. Gene was born on September 24,1936 in Durant, Oklahoma, to Patrick Wesley Hedgecock and Nora Naomi Hedgecock. His paternal grandparents were Patrick Lafayette Hedgecock and Nina Mae Ward Hedgecock. His maternal grandparents were Samuel Sidney Scott and Lillie Johnson Scott. He was raised in and attended school in Cottonwood and Coalgate, Oklahoma. He was part of a large extended family (Hedgecock, Ward, Scott). He worked on farms, ranches in the local area and Texas, until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1958. His first duty assignment following basic training was at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. While stationed there he met and married the love of his life, Ernestine Marrujo, who would be his faithful companion and partner in life for the next 65 years. This family would eventually include 3 daughters and 3 sons. Gene served his country in the United States Army for 20 years, retiring in 1978. As part of his Army career the family would move numerous times. Duty assignments included Ft. Richardson, Alaska, Ft. Rucker, Alabama Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and Ft. Hood, Texas, Korea, Vietnam and Germany. He was a highly decorated veteran as a result of his service in Vietnam during the war and rarely spoke about his Vietnam service. He retired to Dona Ana, New Mexico as a Sergeant First Class in November 1978. He then worked as a civilian at White Sands Missile Range for the next 20 years and fully retired in 1998. Gene spent his "off duty" time in New Mexico fishing at Caballo Lake, Elephant Butte and various other takes in the state. He also loved deep sea fishing in Florida. He took his sons and grandsons (teaching and preaching safety among other things) all on road trips fishing, boating, camping and hunting, especially out in the desert to see Native ruins. He drove the remote backroads of the desert while hunting or just exploring the desert area. To truly know Gene, one had to experience accompanying him on one of his "desert road trips" and sitting around a campfire having a cold beverage or 2 and discussing with Gene how things were and how they "should be". Gene had numerous friends that accompanied him on these excursions over the years, a good time was always had by all. Gene is survived by sons Harold G HedgecockJr. and wife Jana, Theodore Hedgecock and Timothy Hedgecock, A daughter, Belinda Blachford and husband Mark. Grandchildren Carl Hedgecock, Brandon Hedgecock and Savannah Hedgecock, Amanda Hedgecock. Nicholas Hedgecock, Landon Gene Hedgecock, Willow Hedgecock, Rebecca Roby Ford and husband Lamont, Keith Blachford and wife Brooke and Hannah Blachford. Great Grandchildren Tristen Ford, Jaylan Ford, Brandon Ford, Owen Blachford and Harper Blachford. His sister Betty Burge and husband Reuben, brother's Don Hedgecock and wife Debris, Larry Gene Hedgecock and wife Bonnie, brother's in-law Fidel Marrujo and Alfonso.

A graveside inurnment will be held on Monday November 16, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at St Joseph’s Cemetery, 100 N. Espina Street.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com