Newt Lewis HARDGRAVE

HARDGRAVE, Newt Lewis (M.D.) 72, of Clearwater, died Oct. 8, 2013. He died surrounded by his beloved family. Dr. Hardgrave practiced Family Medicine with intelligence, compassion, common sense and integrity. Newt is survived by his wonderfully loving wife of 47 years, Ellen Donnelly Hardgrave. He is also survived by his five children, Katie Hardgrave Turner (Jon Turner), Chris Hardgrave (Tiffany Lasley Hardgrave), Meghan Hardgrave Webster (Rob Webster), Brent Donnelly Patrick Hardgrave and Bridget Hardgrave Starr (David Starr). The "lights of his life" were his adoring grandchildren, Parker Webster, Christopher Turner, Saylor Webster, Ian Turner, Reagan Webster, Matty Turner, Fallon Webster and Coco Hardgrave. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newt and Elizabeth Hardgrave. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Becky Hardgrave Middleton (Robert Middleton); and brother, Kent Hardgrave (Nancy Hardgrave). Born in Henryetta, OK, he graduated from Henryetta High School and Oklahoma State University. He was a member of the Acacia fraternal organization, the recipient of many leadership awards, and was the ROTC Corp Commander (Army) for over 2,000 cadets. Upon graduation, with a degree in Microbiology, he served as an officer, overseas, in the Army Medical Service Corps. He was a decorated member of the armed forces. Upon his return, he was accepted into Medical School & graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Madigan General Hospital in Fort Lewis, WA, where he served as an Army medical doctor. Newt and Ellen moved to Clearwater in 1970 and he immediately opened his practice. He was a family physician for 37 years. He served as the Chief of Staff at Clearwater Community Hospital, and was their long-serving Chair of Standards and Credentials. As a mentor to young doctors, he also served as a preceptor for University of Florida medical students. He served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Academy of Family Practice, and the Board of Directors for the Pinellas County Medical Society. He viewed his patients as "family" and he loved being their physician. He always felt it was an "honor" to be a Family Doctor, and he served his patients with unparalleled kindness and compassion. As a huge sports fan, he could often be found supporting his favorite teams. He loved his OSU Cowboys, Oklahoma Sooners, Florida State Seminoles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was one of the original Tampa Bay Buccaneers season ticket holders (in 1976), and supported them at every game until his death. He parlayed his love for sports, into the community. He sponsored many local children's recreational teams and high school athletics. He also served as a Little League coach, and he could always be found cheering his children's athletic teams at Countryside High School and Clearwater Central Catholic. Above all else, Dr. Newt Hardgrave loved his family. He always lived by the motto, "Put your family first and then everything else will fall into place." A Memorial Service will be held at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, on Friday, Oct. 11th, at 10 am. Immediately following the Memorial Mass, a reception will be held in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to two of Newt's favorite philanthropies: the Gary Sinise Foundation (which serves our Wounded Warriors) at http://www.garysinisefoundation.org or Ducks Unlimited, which supports wildlife conservation, at www.ducks.com.