John Hardison

Family-Placed Death Notice

HARDISON, John JOHN WESLEY HARDISON John Wesley Hardison of Braselton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2010, at his home with his wife and daughters by his side. On August 21, 2010 he would have been 90 years old. Mr. Hardison was born in Peach County, Georgia and was educated in the Peach County Schools. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1942. He was immediately commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Ordinance Division of the Army Air Force. He married Helen Branan that same year on August 18th. During his service in World War II, he served on various air bases in the states until 1943 when he was assigned to India, and then later that year was transferred to China. Because all roads from Burma and India had been cut and occupied by the Japanese, the young Lieutenant was assigned the duty of starting a vehicle assembly and repair facility. At the end of the war, Major Hardison was the Ordnance Officer of the 14th Air Force. On returning to the states, Mr. Hardison joined John Rogers Company, a new start up engine rebuilding company in Atlanta, Georgia. During his business career he was a member of many professional associations including Pacific Engine Rebuilders (serving on the Board of Directors), The Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association, The Society of Automotive Engineers and The American Society of Metals. By the late 1960's John Rogers Company merged with The Genuine Parts Company. Mr. Hardison was Vice President and General Manager of the Genuine Parts Engine Division until his retirement in 1971. After retirement, he and his bride Helen embarked on a series of world wide travel adventures, visiting over 135 countries in all but one continent. He also became very active in several civic, governmental and church affiliated groups including serving on various municipal committees for the City of East Point, the First Baptist Church where he and Mrs. Hardison were members for over fifty years. He was a long time Civitan, a member of the China Burma India Association, the 14th Air Force Association, the Atlanta Men's Garden Club and the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. In 1994, the Hardisons' built a new home in Chateau Élan in Braselton, Georgia. As was their practice where ever they lived, they immediately became involved in local community and church related activities. He and Mrs. Hardison were faithful members of Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, The Chateau Élan Homeowners Association and The Legions Golf Club. Mr. Hardison is survived by his wife, Helen, daughters & sons-in-law Carol and Charles Rittenhouse of Snellville, Cheryl and Bob Allen of Hoschton, three grandchildren, Todd Rittenhouse of Snellville, Lisa (John) Angove of Berkeley Lake, Krista (Lee) Estes of Jefferson and five great grandchildren, Nicholas, Matthew, Carys and Catherine Angove and Madison Estes. He is also survived by a brother, William Hardison of Macon and sister, Betty Ross also of Macon, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in August. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Senior Pastor Jeff Crook will officiate. Other pastors of Blackshear Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 from 1 – 2 prior to the funeral hour at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Hardison requests that contributions be made to Blackshear Place Baptist Church "Touching Tomorrow Today" Fund (3428 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542) Compassionate Care Hospice (1435 Haw Creek Circle, Suite 402, Cumming, GA 30041) or a charity of choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.