Gary J. Hardy, Sr.

Gary James Hardy, Sr., 77, of Lake Charles, LA died at 3:30 PM on Monday, January 13, 2014 in a local hospital. Mr. Hardy was born August 1, 1936 in South Bend, IN and was raised in Florida. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after twenty years of service to his country. He served in Thailand during the Vietnam War, where he was a Staff Sergeant for the Military Police. Mr. Hardy moved to Lake Charles in 1978 and retired from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Department after twenty years of service as a deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Louisiana Police Officer's Association. Mr. Hardy attended Friendship Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time watching television, listening to country music, and enjoyed spending time at L'Auberge Casino. He also enjoyed sharing war stories with his friends, barbequing for others and loved spending time with his family. Mr. Hardy is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Barbara Reynolds Hardy; daughter, Sharon Vedenhaupt of Lake Charles; son, Gary James Hardy, Jr. of Lake Charles, LA; siblings, Barbara Martin and Sherry Bauder, both of Florida; grandchildren, Trinity Martin, Marquelle LeDoux, and Serina Hardy; great-grandchildren, Macie Davis and Emmett LeDoux; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Hardy was preceded in death by his son, James Hardy; parents, Lewis Hardy and Madeline Declements Hardy; and sister, Nancy Williams. His memorial service will be 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Dale Nazworth will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any Veteran, Police, or Animal Charities in his name.