Woodson Wayne Hardin

Woodson Wayne Hardin, 75, of Houston, TX, died at 7:32 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2014 in a Houston hospital, surrounded by his family. Mr. Hardin was born September 6, 1939 in Ged, LA and raised in Vinton, where he graduated from Vinton High School. He attended McNeese State College and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, and later received his law degree from South Texas College of Law. He also earned an accelerated Master's Degree in Business through Harvard University. After moving to Houston, TX in 1965 to follow a career in Oil and Gas, he became involved in many charitable pursuits. He was a lifetime participant with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and served on its parade committee for disabled children. Mr. Hardin was also very active with a number of golf tournaments, including the Willie Nelson and Darryl Royal tournament and the Dan Pastorini Charities. He was an avid hunter, traveled the world and was a gourmet cook. Mr. Hardin is survived by his life-long friend and partner, Joy Hardin of Houston, TX; daughters, Cynthia Hardin and husband Chester Rogers of Lake Charles and Sandy Vincent and husband Gary D. Vincent of Sulphur, LA; step-children, Bliss Scharfenberger and husband Michael and Jim Foster, all of the Houston area; sister, Nancy Hardin Benoit and husband Buddy of Sulphur, LA; grandchildren, Nicole O'Neal and husband Phillip, Tiffany Olivarez, Lauren LaFleur, and Dominique Olivarez; step-grandchild, Drake Vincent; six great-grandchildren; nephews, Greg and Ray Benoit; and his beloved dog, Remy. He was preceded in death by his father, Woodson Washington Hardin; mother, Fannie Guidry and her husband Warner Guidry; and a nephew, Randy Benoit. His funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Johnson and Robison Funeral Chapel. Reverend Steve Shirley will officiate. Burial will follow in Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly, LA. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018, or S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition, P.O. Box 790 Santa Fe, TX 77517 or to any other animal rescue organization or shelter.