John Wallace Hardin

A Graveside service for John Wallace Hardin will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler with Rev. Elwood Stetson officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. John went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Chris, on August 28, 2014 at 87 years of age, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 15, 1926 in Eldorado, Arkansas to Veatrice Oxford Hardin and Charlie Hardin. He spent his early years in Tyler and Henderson. After graduating from John Tyler High School in 1944, he attended the University of Arkansas. While there, he joined the United States Navy and was placed in the V12 officer candidate training program, attending Texas Christian University and The University of Texas. After 2 ½ years, he was honorably discharged and returned to Tyler where he met his wife. He then enrolled in SMU and received his B.S. degree in Medical Art and then attended South-Western Medical School for 2 years, receiving a Masters degree in Medical Art. John pursued his training at the Calvin Company in Kansas City, MO for 9 months before returning to Tyler to work in the construction business with his step-father, R.L. “Dick” Clanahan, whom he loved and admired so very much. After Mr. Clanahan’s death, John formed the John Hardin Construction Co. and was blessed to build Robert E. Lee High School, John Tyler High School and several other schools. He also built the Wagstaff Gym and the planetarium at T.J.C. He later joined C. Company and built the Tyler Public Library. John loved to fly his Beech craft Baron twin engine airplane to construction jobs from California across the southwest to Arizona, New Mexico and to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Through the years, John was proud to be a member of the Associated General Contractors of America. He was very active in that organization and served as president of the East Texas chapter and later as a state President. He served on the National Board of Directors for many years. On April 21, 2005, he was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership. John was one of the founding partners, along with Richard Harvey and Shirley Simons, to form the Tyler Freedom Forum. They had a three day seminar which included many national anti-communist speakers such as Paul Harvey. He was also a past President of the Tyler YMCA. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois Kirkham Hardin; son, Bill Hardin and wife Glenda; grandchildren, Heather Hardin Shaid and husband Trey, John William Hardin and wife Cara, Mark Daniel Hardin; great-grandson, Brice Shaid; sister, Doris Clanahan Salfrank and several nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be his 3 grandsons and nephews, Keith Cummings and Craig Hester. We wish to thank the staff at Waterton Plaza, who took such loving care of John. If desired, memorials may be made to Bible Teaching Resources by Don Anderson Ministries, P.O. Box 6611, Tyler, Texas 75711-6611 or a charity of choice.

John Wallace Hardin

December 15, 1926 - August 28, 2014