Fred Adrian Heddleson

Fred Adrian Heddleson, age 96, of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at the NHC Health Care Center.

Born March 28, 1917, in New Matamoras, Ohio, he was the son of Richard David Heddleson and Grace Beaver Heddleson, who preceded him in death, as did his sister, Vivian Karash, and his wives, Margaret (Peggy) Heddleson, Freda Fisher, and Ruth Bowen.

He grew up in New Matamoras and graduated from Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. After graduation and during World War II, he worked in development of the Martin aircraft top machine gun turret and electric devices for motors of the Norden bomb sight.

In 1952, Mr. Heddleson and his family moved to Oak Ridge. As an engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, his career path led to nuclear safety information and commercial nuclear power plant safety systems.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, Mr. Heddleson lived in Kingston, where he became an accomplished water skier, artist, and organist. In 1972, he became a licensed pilot, and in his later years, he enjoyed flying remote control airplanes and playing the organ at the Oak Ridge Retirement Center and Keystone Day Care for Seniors.

Mr. Heddleson is survived by two daughters, Janet Allen of Kingston and Judy Buff of Norfolk, Va.; stepchildren, Kristina Armstrong, Kirk Haaland, and Peter Haaland; grandchildren, Robin Braden and Fred Buff; great-grandchildren, Summer Wigley, and Frederick, Davis, and Wyatt Buff; and step-grandchildren, Treven Armstrong, and Carsten, Tyler, Zachery, and Ryan Haaland.

Mr. Heddleson was a member of Kingston United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. with Rev. Sue Lynn Johnson officiating.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.