Gary Lynn Hardin's Obituary
Hardin, Gary Lynn, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Corpus Christi, Tx on Friday, June 17, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Wichita Falls, Tx on August 19, 1941 to Aubrey and Dorothy Hardin. Growing up in Wichita Falls, Gary worked as a Times Record Newspaper carrier in his early teens. He graduated from Wichita Falls Senior High School in 1959. Gary was blessed with athletic abilities, which served him well when playing for the First Christian Church basketball team where he was frequently one of the high scorers. In college he performed with the ROTC Pershing Rifle drill team and was a member of the Midwestern University Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. He served with the 49th Armored Division of the National Guard. In 1966 Gary and family moved to Dallas where he began working as an auditor for Sears. Later while working for Gifford Hill as an accountant he received his CPA license. He also worked at TI, Frymire and other companies before starting his own general contracting business. Working as a general contractor, he was able to use his hands and creativity which he found rewarding.
He and his wife Sheryl lived at Country Place in Carrollton, Tx. for many years where they made many close friends. Gary enjoyed socializing and hosted many parties. He and his loving wife of over 29 years saw the world; Tokyo, Hong Kong, Alaska via cruise line, Jamaica and Hawaii are just a few destinations they saw together and sometimes toured with a group of friends. Gary and his wife, Sheryl found the perfect place to retire when they chose Lake Kiowa, Tx. He liked to drive around the lake community on his golf cart, and joined his many golf buddies for a daily round of golf, or boating or jet skiing. Gary participated in many golf tournaments where he often won and at times received “Hole in One” awards. He enjoyed cutting his grass and working in his yard and had a prized tomato garden lakeside. Gary loved working around his lake home and staying active and productive. In 2017 Gary chose to move to Corpus Christi, Tx. to be close to his children, Denise and Bryan and his grandson, Bryce. “Poppie” as his grandson called him, could watch Bryce play baseball and on occasion joined him in a card game or corn hole competition. “Poppie” lit up when his “little buddy” Bryce was around. Another bonus to moving south was being closer to his brother Jim Tom Hardin. The two along with Gary’s sister in law, Kay always got a kick out of reminiscing about the good ole times during their visits. Up until a few months prior to his passing, Gary could be found playing a game of poker with friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sheryl Rae Hardin; mother, Dorothy Haffener Hardin and father, Aubrey Hardin. He is survived by his daughter, Denise Phillips (Joey) of Corpus Christi, Tx.; son, Bryan Hardin (Doris) of McKinney, Tx.; grandson, Bryce Phillips; step-grand daughter, Fischer Phillips; brother Jim Tom Hardin (Kay) of San Antonio; nephew, Scott Hardin-Nieri (Becca) of Asheville, N.C. and niece Lindy Hardin of Allen, Tx. Pallbearers will be Steve Watson, Scott Hardin-Nieri, Joe Haffener, Doug Haffener, Michael Cain and Armando Delossantos. The family would like to recognize Armando Delossantos “Mondo” for his true loyalty and kindness to Gary while assisting with his care. The family and especially Gary grew quite fond of Armando during this time.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 26th 4:00-6:00 at the Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Tx. 75243 Reverend Rob Spencer will preside over the funeral service which will be held Monday, June 27th at 10:00 in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers a donation to Cultiv8Community, 22524 FM 79, Direct, Tx. 75486 or go to the link www.olumc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/cultiv8 would be greatly appreciated. It is a non-profit organization led by Reverend Spencer that aims to alleviate poverty in rural communities.
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