Fred Carl Hardin

Fred Carl Hardin was born November 21, 1929 in Austin, Texas, the son of B.C. and Olive Hardin. He passed away on July 5, 2013. Survivors include his wife, Pansy Hardin of Lampasas Son, John Hardin (Shelly) of Candler, NC Daughters, Anita McNew (Mikel) of Fort Worth, TX Diane Woods (Justin) of Baird, TX Stepson, Mark Nicholas of Pensacola, FL Step-daughters, Bonnie West (Bill) of Maryville, TN Julie Wall of Birmingham, AL Celia Cooper (Steve) of Huntsville, AL 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren Mr. Hardin entered the Army in 1949 and retired in 1970 after 21 years of service. During his service career he served one combat tour in Korea and two in Vietnam. He also served overseas tours in Okinawa, Japan and Germany. When Mr. Hardin was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, he had the distinction of being selected to be a member of the Graveside Firing Squad which marched in the Grand Funeral Procession and performed at the graveside service of Mr. Albert Woolson, who was the last surviving member of the Union Army to have fought in the Civil War. Mr. Woolson was 17 years old when he enlisted in the Union Army during the final year of the Civil War, in 1864, and died at the age of 109 in 1956. This Spectacular event was held at Duluth, Minnesota on August 6, 1956. This was truly the passing of an era. After retiring from civil service, he bought 20 acres about 10 miles West of Lampasas and about a year later met and married Pansy Pierce (His first wife having died in 1990). Mr. Hardin and his wife owned horses for a number of years and Mr. Hardin was also a beekeeper for about 10 years. Mr. Hardin was also well known as a very talented cowboy poet. He read his poetry on numerous occasions and for many events in the Central Texas area and also in RuiDoso, New Mexico. He always performed these services free of charge. Mr. Hardin was preceded in death by his first wife, Kazuko Ishiwata of Japan and one son, Alton Hardin of Lake Charles, LA, as well as his brother, James Hardin. Visitation for Mr. Hardin will be held on Wednesday July 10, 2013 from 5-7p.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be Thursday July 11, 2013 at 10a.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel and burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.