Harold W. Hardison

Senator Harold Woodrow Hardison

Deep Run

Former State Senator Harold W. Hardison, 92, a life-long resident of Deep Run, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2015.

He was a United States Air Force veteran from 1942 – 1946 and during that time served in the Pacific during World War II.  He was also a Mason in the Pleasant Hill Masonic Lodge No. 304 and a Shriner.

Never afraid to work hard, he was involved in a number of family businesses and civic enterprises before turning his interests to serving the people of North Carolina.  Locally, he was the Founder and President of the Humphrey-Hardison Oil Company, charter member and co-founder of Deep Run Volunteer Fire Department, and organizer of Deep Run Water Corporation. In his later years, he enjoyed a long career with Neil Medical Group.

His public service began when he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1971. In 1973, he was elected to the North Carolina Senate where he served the people of our state for eight terms. Senator Hardison's ability to work with many others to achieve common good was legendary.  He served as Chairman or member of over 90 committees, boards and commissions during his Legislative tenure.  Senator Hardison's most notable accomplishment was serving as Chairman of the North Carolina Senate Appropriations Committee from 1977-1984. He was also the Chairman of the Banking Committee, Commerce Committee, and Advisory Budget Committee. Senator Hardison's imprint is all over North Carolina to this day.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who dearly loved his church, his family and his friends.

Surviving are the love of his life, his wife of 71 years, Arlene Humphrey Hardison of the home; one daughter, Pamela Braxton and husband, Johnnie, of Deep Run; one grandson, John Braxton and his wife, Laurie, of Virginia Water, Surry, UK, and his great-grandchildren, Sophia and Elin.

He was predeceased by his parents, Rutha and Annie Hardison, and his brother, Earl Hardison.

The funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2015, at the Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church, where he and his family have faithfully attended for all of their lives. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Arlene H. and Harold W. Hardison Family Endowment Ministerial Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Mount Olive, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, N.C. 28365 or to Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church c/o Bill Hawkins, 3556 Mark N. Smith Road, Deep Run, N.C. 28525.

Howard-Carter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to howardandcarter.com