James L. Hardy

James L. Hardy, 96, of Amity, Arkansas, entered his eternal resting place on December 6, 2023. 

James was born on October 10,1927 in Connells Point; AR. James was the first of nine children born to James Marklin and  Pearl Hardy. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Leona Hardy; his four brothers, Earl Hardy, Bill Hardy, Edgar Hardy, and John Carl Hardy; his two sisters, Josephine Ates and Susy Van Schaik; his daughter-in-law, Veda Hardy; and his sister-in-law, Martha Hardy.

James attended school up through the sixth grade before he started working for his Daddy. At the young age of 14, James began his lifelong career of working on the Mississippi River. He worked for Woods Towing of Clarendon, AR; moving log barges on the White River on an old paddle-wheeler; Mary Woods #2. In 1947 James took a break from the river and became a truck driver. The river called James back in 1954 where he took a job with Martin Oil. 1956-57 James became a Riverboat Pilot and then he was made Captain. In 1966, he took a job with Esso Oil as a Pilot. In 1972 Esso became Exxon. Captain James Hardy retired in 1989 with 23 years at Exxon and 43 years as a Riverboat Captain. February 1, 1947, James married the love of his life Mary Leona Adams. Together they had four children; Larry, Joan, Jimmy, and Randy; continuing the strong family heritage of being wonderful and stubborn. James and Leona were members of the First Baptist Church of Glenwood. James was a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, NRA, Eastern Star and the Arkansas Grand Lodge. James joined Glenwood Lodge 662 on Feb 15, 1968. He became a certified instructor traveling the state, helping with Degree Work as well as teaching and lecturing many Masons. He excelled holding many offices in several chapters around the state including Worshipful Master of the Glenwood Lodge 662. James joined the Scottish Rite on November 9, 1974, and became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite (Master of the Royal Secret). James also received a Pillars of Solomon Award for his outstanding service to the Arkansas Grand Lodge. He served for 55 years. Along with dedicating most of his life to the River and Masonry, James was a cattle farmer and loved animals. He loved woodworking, fishing, KFC, his family and most of all his grandbabies. James was a stubborn but very generous man. He was a true patriot and loved his country. He donated to many causes, people, and charities who had a need near and far. He would give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would help. James will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

James is survived by his three sons and their wives, Larry Hardy of Bald Knob, James “Jimmy” and Deborah Hardy of Bossier, Louisiana, and William “Randy” and Brenda Hardy of Amity; his daughter and her husband, Gloria Joan and Wayne Marconi of Marion; his eleven grandchildren and their spouses, Larry Bonner Catlett, Greg and Tracy Wolfe, April and Billy Hardy-Johnson, Jaime and Tim Linn, Josh Hardy, Michael and Amber McChristian, Nicole and John Torres, Jason Hardy, Candy Martin, Kelly Sullivan, Clif Crosswhite, and Darrell Martin; his fourteen great-grandchildren, Andrew Catlett, Leigh Ann Wolfe, Austin Wolfe, Clover and her husband Ryan, McKamie, Garrett Torress, Archer Torress, Carter McChristian, Caden McChristian, Samuel McChristian, Jordyn Hardy, Jaxin Hardy, Nick Hardy, Asher Linn, and Maison Belle Linn; his two great-great-granddaughters, Addison J. Grace McKamie and Paisley Leona Mae McKamie; his brother and sister-in-law, Julian and Patsy Hardy of Taylor; his sister, Sylvia Griffith of Hot Springs; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of wonderful friends.

Pallbearers will be members of the Masonic Lodge. 

Honorary Pallbearers - Staff of the Glenwood Senior Center, Glenwood CHI Clinic, and nurses of 2W at CHI Hospital. The family would like to thank them all for their care, compassion, and patience in caring for Grandpa. We appreciate all of you.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 12, 2023, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jackie Herring officiating.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to services in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood, 209 North Third Street, Glenwood, AR 71943.

Interment will be held at the Mount Tabor Cemetery with the Masonic Lodge holding the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to your favorite charity, James was always a giver and we want his legacy to be remembered in that way.

Guest registry may be found at www.smithfamilycares.com.