Ray Macy Hardin

1933 - 2021

Ray Macy Hardin
Midwest City - Ray "Macy" Hardin, 88, passed away July 10, 2021 in Midwest City, OK. He was born on May 10, 1933 to William and Lorene Hardin in Wanette, OK. In his early years he grew up in Wanette until his father was hired as an aircraft mechanic at Tinker Field, then his family moved to Oklahoma City. In 1951, he graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City.
Upon his high school graduation, he joined the Air Force where he became a bindery worker. During his time in the Air Force, he met his sweetheart, Katherine Joan Bryant and married her on May 4, 1953 in Odessa, Texas. Upon leaving the Air Force with an honorable discharge, the couple returned to Oklahoma City where he attended Central State University on the G.I. Bill. He used his knowledge from the Air Force to work at "The Print Shop" throughout his college years. After his graduation from Central State with a Bachelors Degree in Business in 1961, he worked for the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Shortly thereafter, a business opportunity arose in Midwest City where he was able to purchase Edgewood Mobile Home Park, partnering with his wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Eventually, this created his small business of owning and operating Edgewood Mobile Homes for over 40 years. Ray was a successful entrepreneur and active member of the Midwest City community. He also was a board member and President of the Manufactured Housing Association of Oklahoma, serving for over 20 years. He was appointed as a Rose State Regent by Governor Frank Keating and served from 2002-2009. At the end of his term as Regent, he was an active member of the Rose State College Foundation and the Hardin/Miller State Regent Endowment in support of Small Business. After losing his wife to cancer in 1984, he established the Katherine Joan Hardin Scholarship Endowment. He was a strong supporter of Rose State and wanted to share his gifts and talents with Rose State students and the community. The University of Central Oklahoma awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.
Ray was a great friend to many and served his community with a "service above self" life style, as an active member of the Midwest City Rotary.
His only child, Kelley Rae, was born on Father's Day 1970. He enjoyed spending time with his family at Lake Texoma, golfing with friends, and swimming in his pool with his grandchildren. Ray is survived by his daughter, Kelley & son-in-law Kevin Miller, grandchildren, Kessley & Kasen Miller; sister Patty Stevens, and two sisters-in-law, LaFern Barnes & Marilyn Hardin; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine; parents, William A. Hardin Sr. & Lorene; brother, William A. Hardin Jr. and sister, Ondene Spencer & brother-in-law Ore Spencer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rose State College Foundation in support of the Ray and Katherine Hardin Scholarship Endowment.A celebration of life will be held at Barnes Friederich Funeral Home on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 4 p.m. with reception immediately following "Ray Hardin Style" at the Atkinson Heritage Center.