Larry Hedden

Mr. Larry D. Hedden, of Hoover, AL, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at the age of 75. He was born in Gas City, IN, on September 23, 1935. He was the son of Clelan and Sylvia Hedden, and brother to Roselyn Hedden Planck. He graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1954. On November 25, 1954, he married Ada L. Flannigan, daughter of Earl and Anna Flannigan, from Jonesboro, IN. Ada was a graduate of Mississinewa High School. They remained married for 56 years. Larry set scoring records in 1953 and 1954 for County, Conference, Sectional, and Regional. He led Mississinewa to Sectional Titles in 1953 and 1954, the 1954 team was undefeated, finishing the year 27-1 with the only loss to Muncie Central in Semi-state. Muncie Central lost to Milan in the State Final. In 1954, Larry was the 4th selection to the Indiana-Kentucky High School All-Star Basketball team. He attended Michigan State University in East Lansing from 1954-1958, where he majored in business. He was a 3 year starter on MSU's basketball team. They were the first MSU team to win the Big-Ten title. They were the first MSU team to go to the Final Four in 1957. He was twice voted to the 2nd Team All-Big Ten squad. He was a member of the Grant County Sports All-Century Team. He was also a member of the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He was a member of the 1979 Indiana Silver Anniversary team as well. In 1958, at the end of his college career, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Larry worked for the National Steel Corporation for twenty-two years before becoming involved with Dynamic Metals in New Jersey. He retired as President of Dynamic Metals and he and Ada moved to Birmingham, AL. He is survived by his wife, Ada Hedden; his children, Dr. Lou Ann Hedden, Dr. Timothy Hedden, Steve Hedden, and Sandy Tasler (Norbert); his grandchildren, Larry, Anna, Frank, and Hannah; his nephews, Randy Planck (Debbie), Marc Planck (Beth), Matt (Tobi); niece, Jackie Planck; great nieces and nephews; and the Audrey Parks family, Trevor, Stephen, Anthony, Malcolm, and Gillian. The family will receive friends Friday, September 23, 2011, from 10-11 AM at Liberty Church. A memorial service will follow at 11 AM also at the church. Pastor Bruce Terry will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wellspring for Women at the Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35216.