Sheldon Hardy

On February 9th, Heaven gained a beautiful soul, while the world lost one of the greatest men I've ever known-my Dad.

Sheldon Blaine Hardy was born on March 3, 1947, to Sheldon and Joy (Hunt) Hardy. He was the eldest of nine children and was raised in Mesquite, Nevada. Throughout his school years, he excelled in various sports. In 1965, he graduated from Virgin Valley and later that year, he married Emmalyn (Houston) Hardy of Mesquite. Together, they had four children: Landon Blaine, Tuesdee (Eric) Thomson, Shelby Hughes, and Angela Smith. They later divorced.

Dad drove truck all his life. Throughout Nevada, Utah, and California, and is well known in those circles. The old-time truckers will remember him in Mesquite as "Sam" and elsewhere as "Buffalo". Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly and provided for his family.

Blaine met Rita Lucero in 1988, while he was working for Frehner trucking in Fallon, Nevada. She worked as a flagger for Las Vegas paving, and as he was hauling a load of gravel, he accidentally kicked up dirt as he was driving by, leaving Rita in a cloud. He only realized this as he checked his rearview mirror and saw her flipping him off. His next time around, he apologized and asked if he could buy her dinner. The following year, they were married and soon after, Kristi Jane was born. They moved back and forth between Tonopah and Las Vegas before finally settling down in Mesquite. He retired from the Nevada Test Site, Teamsters Union Local 631 in 2005. They later welcomed a granddaughter, Olyvia Anne, to the family.

Blaine and Rita enjoyed 31 years of marriage.

Blaine was preceded in death by the love of his life, Rita, his parents, and a sister, Madeline Hardy. He had a beloved dog, Kirby, that also preceded him in death.

Blaine is survived by his 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings: Ginger Miller, Ivins, Utah, Mark (Debbie) Hardy, Overton, NV, Kenny (Jackie) Hardy, Farmington, UT, Clay Hardy, St. George, Utah, Robin (John) Hunt, Warm Springs, NV, Amy (Bill) Hirschi, New Harmony, UT, and Val (Lisa) Hardy of Las Vegas, NV, along with many nieces and nephews.

Dad also leaves behind his faithful dog Jax, who had his back right up to the end.

In keeping with his wishes, Blaine's immediate family will hold a private service to honor his memory.