Obituary Jerrel H. Hardy of Richland Parish Louisiana As printed in the Monroe News Star on May 11, 2002 Submitted by Dot Golliher ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** JERREL H. HARDY Services for Jerrel H. (Buck) Hardy, 76, of Rayville will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2002 at 2:00 PM at the Boeuf River Baptist Church in Rayville with Rev. Tommy Gammill and Rev. S. B. Boyette officiating. Interment will follow at the Stevenson Cemetery near Rayville under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home of Rayville. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:30 PM until 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Hardy died at Richardson Medical Center on Thursday, May 9, 2002 after a long illness.Mr. Hardy was born on December 5, 1925 in Leesville, LA. He has been a resident of Rayville for the past seventy years. He retired from Ware Oil Company in Rayville and from the Richland Parish School System, where he served as a bus driver. He was also a cattleman and farmer. He was a member of the Boeuf River Baptist Church, where he served as deacon. He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-seven years, Loraine Hardy; his parents, Clark and Minnie Hardy; his brother, Bobby Hardy; and sisters, Bernice Gammill and Mildred Idom. He is survived by his sons, Glynn Hardy and his wife Carma of Olla, LA; and Jimmy Hardy of Monroe, LA; granddaughters, Kristie Hardy Skipper and her husband Bo of Delhi, LA, and Katie Hardy Lasiter and her husband Justin of Tullos, LA; great granddaughter, Madelynn Paige Skipper of Delhi, LA; two sisters, Donnis Chavers of West Monroe, LA, and Jean Burkett and her husband Jackie of Farmerville, LA; a beloved brother-in-law, Leon Gammill of Rayville, LA; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, and cousins. Pallbearers will be Greg Roberts, William Freeland, Randy Vaughn, Greg Gibson, Donnie Adcock, and Bill Gibson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ronnie Hubbard, Dr. Arthur Liles, Buddy Ware, and Shorty McHand. Mr. Hardy was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during World War II. He served on Destroyer/ Minesweeper Hovey and on Destroyer Bordelon. He was engaged in the invasions of the Palau Islands (Peleliu and Anguar), Leyte Gulf, and Luzon. He was always proud of the fact that, during the Palau campaign, his ship, Hovey, set and all-time record, having swept fifty mines in one day. It has always been a source of pride for Mr. Hardy's family, knowing that his ship was the first to enter Philippine waters at Leyte Gulf during the Philippine liberation. At Luzon, Mr. Hardy survived when an enemy torpedo struck and sank the Hovey, taking the lives of eighty men. Jerrel Hardy was a warrior. For eleven years, he battled cancer with the same spirit and determination he used when he fought for this country that he dearly loved. When he sank for the last time, he went under with guns still blazing. During his time on earth, he served his Creator. He was adored by his family and friends, and many people admired him for his beautiful gardens and pecan orchard. He will be missed for many years to come.