James Hardaway

THOMSON, Ga. - Major (Ret., USMC) James David J. D. Hardaway, 80, of Thomson passed away Thursday, August 29 in Aiken, SC. Born in Lincoln County but reared in Augusta, he was the son of Guy Hinton Hardaway and Bessie Louise Studdard Hardaway and the stepson of Clifford Newton Hardaway. He graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1950, joined the Marine Corps and served in Korea and Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. He was with the Inspector General's Division, Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. until his retirement in 1973. He was a resident of Woodbridge, VA until 1989, when he moved to Thomson. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Misao Hosokawa Hardaway. Mr. Hardaway was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, the William Few Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and a past member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Many in McDuffie County knew him when he worked with Governor Zell Miller's Peach Corps. Once a Marine, Always a Marine, he was especially skilled in construction and taught and motivated all who worked with him not to burn daylight. Mr. Hardaway is survived by his brother, R. Douglas Hardaway of Evans; a daughter Elizabeth S. Bess Garris (B. E. Corky) of Kennesaw; son, James Clifford Cliff Hardaway (Julie) of Aiken, SC; son, Guy Michael Mike Hardaway (DeDe) of Woodbridge, VA; eight grandchildren Jason C. Garris (Doreen) of Asheville, NC; Aaron M. Garris and Jessica S. Garris of Atlanta; Brittany Misao Hardaway of Stafford, VA; Grayson R. Hardaway of Columbia, MD; Graham M. Hardaway of Louisville, KY; Regan A. and Hayden B. Hardaway of Aiken; four great grandchildren Ezekiel Zeke, Jude, Malachi Cai, and Elizabeth G. Ellie Garris of Asheville, NC; two nieces Pam Hardaway Postell and Penny Hardaway Saggus (Maury) of Evans. A celebration of his life will be held 11 am Friday, September 6 at Curtis Funeral Home in Thomson with his grandson the Reverend Jason Garris presiding. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Thursday September 5 at the Curtis Funeral Home. Burial is private at Quantico National Cemetery, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial contributions may be made to DDEAMC- Fisher House, Bldg. 280, Fisher House Rd., Fort Gordon, GA 30905-5650. Please indicate in memo line J. D. Hardaway Memorial. You may sign the online guest book at www.curtisfuneralhome.com Curtis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.