OBITUARY: Randy Hedrick

+East County remembers business owner, philanthropist
East County residents are mourning the loss of local businessman and friend, Randy Hedrick, who died suddenly Tuesday, June 4, of a heart attack.

Mr. Hedrick, owner of Palm Printing in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, was 49 years old. He is preceded in death by his wife, Eileen, who died of cancer in December.

The couple is survived by their two children: Nicole, 22, and Ryan, 20.
A memorial service was held for Mr. Hedrick Sunday, June 9.

“It’s a big loss for this community,” said employee and longtime friend Cindy Montgomery. “He was very active in the community. He did a lot for charity. He was a fabulous person.”

Montgomery said Mr. Hedrick’s death came as a shock to his friends and employees, but his staff was working hard to keep Palm Printing’s business running as normally as possible.

“We’re just trying to run the business the way he would want to and trying to keep the customers happy,” she said. “That’s all we can do right now.”

Longtime Palm Printing employee Larry Wisenberger is assuming Palm Printing’s day-to-day operations, for now, Montgomery said.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported Hedrick was driving his 2011 Cadillac northbound in the parking lot outside his business, at 6001 Business Blvd., Sarasota, when he proceeded northeast and struck a curb. The vehicle made a u-turn type maneuver, traveled back southbound, jumped over a curb and struck the north side of the building. Mr. Hedrick was pronounced dead on scene.