John Robert Hardison Sr.

Jan. 12, 1918 - Oct. 27, 2009

John Robert Hardison Sr. died Oct. 27, 2009, in his home.

He was 91 years old, and a direct descendent of Oregon pioneers Gabriel and Barbara Slater Hardison, who arrived in Oregon by wagon train in 1845 and settled in the Monmouth area. John was born in Yakima, Wash., to Earl James and Genevieve Sompii Hardison.

Dr. Hardison graduated from Yakima High School and Washington State University with a bachelor of science degree. He was awarded a master of science degree and a doctoral degree in plant pathology from the University of Michigan.

He began his career at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He arrived in Corvallis in 1944 to work on blind seed disease infecting crops of perennial ryegrass worldwide. He is credited with control of the disease through his research and quick action.

In 1974, he was named Oregon Seedsman of the Year by the Oregon Seed Council. The Oregon Seed Trade Association named him Man of the Year in 1980 for his "untiring efforts and faithful service." He worked as a plant pathologist for many years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University, retiring in 1980.

He married Eleanor Lynch of Yakima in 1937. They were married for 50 years, until Eleanor's death in 1987. John and Eleanor raised four children: John Robert Hardison Jr. and wife Jutta of Corvallis; Catherine Hardison of Yakima; Mary Hardison Parchman of Oak Park, Calif.; and Patrick Hardison and wife Lonnie of Aloha. Karen Stiles of Yakima is also a treasured member of the family.

In 1988, he married Janet; together they developed several new varieties of grasses.

John is also survived by his grandchildren: James Hardison, and Jeanette Hardison and husband Steve Lambott of Corvallis; Mary Catherine Parchman-Johnston of Vancouver, Wash.; Jonathan Parchman of Beaverton; Shannon Genz and husband Tim, also of Vancouver; and Justin Cromwell and wife Emily of Pasco, Wash. Great-grandchildren include Stephen and Catherine Johnston, Olivia Lambott, Alexa Swan, Austin Genz and Carter Cromwell.

John was preceded in death by wife Eleanor, brother James W. Hardison, twin sister Elizabeth Bernsten and grandsons Stefan Swan and John Robert Hardison III.

A family remembrance of John's life is planned. If desired, memorial donations can be made to Dial-A-Bus and/or Evergreeen Hospice in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.