Rupert “Dan” Hedgepeth, 86, passed peacefully on February 25, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Rupert was born in Halifax on April 29, 1924 and was one of eleven children of the late Dora Elaine Warren Hedgepeth and Isaac Levi Hedgepeth.

Rupert married Ruth Bernard Hart on August 18, 1949, moved to Northern Virginia and worked multiple jobs as a mechanic and mechanical engineer to support his family. He retired from WestGroup Corporation at age 69 and continued to work and manage his own business, Dan’s Heating and Cooling. Rupert loved to play golf, fish, hunt and work hard at everything he did. In the late 60’s he discovered a love for flying and obtained his pilot’s license for single engine planes.

Rupert is survived by his wife, Ruth, and three children, Patricia Wright of Amelia Island, FL; David Hedgepeth and his wife Cyndi of Roanoke, VA; and Mary Simpkins and her husband Ken of Springfield, VA; five grandchildren, Crystal, Brandon (Lela), Ashley, Josh and Kyle; and five great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kaitie, Levi, Kadyn and Rayne. He is also survived by his siblings John Hedgepeth, Dorothy Matthews, Lillian Ball, Lois Hux, Peggy Bishop, Ray Hedgepeth and Mike Hedgepeth. He was preceded in death by his siblings Beulah Dickens, Lathan Hedgepeth and Roger Hedgepeth and his son-in-law, Thomas Wright.

Rupert and Ruth moved back to Halifax, NC in August of 2010 where Rupert spent his last several months fighting dementia in his familiar hometown with family and friends. His family would like to express their gratitude to Hazel Whitley and Mary W for their loving care for Rupert and his family during this time.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:30pm Saturday, February 26, 2011. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 2pm at Community Center Baptist Church in Halifax where he was a member. Rev. Craig Perry and Rev. Grady Dickens will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Hedgepeth Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a fund for donations to go to Darlington Women’s Club – Attention Edwina Bridges, 561 Hedgepeth Road, Halifax, NC 27839 or Alzheimer’s Association where a memorial page has been created: http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=29030