Nathan Hardee

Nathan T. Hardee CHESAPEAKE - Nathan T. Hardee, 69, of Martin Johnson Road, went to be with our Lord Aug. 9, 2009. He was born in Warrenton, N.C., to the late Nathan B. and Nancy W. Hardee. Nat was a man of quiet and deep faith. Deep Creek Baptist was his church home, and he was a member of the Pastor's Sunday school class. Nat was a homegrown Hornet with deep roots in his community. A 1958 graduate of Deep Creek High School, he began his educational career as a science teacher and coach at his alma mater. Nat received an associate's degree from Frederick College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Carolina University, a master's degree from the University of Virginia, and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Old Dominion University. Nat served the Chesapeake Public Schools for 47 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. He began his administrative career in 1970 as an assistant principal at Crestwood High School. The following year, he moved to Western Branch High School as an assistant principal. He always joked he learned everything he needed to know in less than six months. In February 1972, he became principal at Deep Creek High School where he served for 38 years. Nat served on numerous educational committees including the Southeastern Region, the Eastern Region District Chair, the Virginia High School League Executive Board, the Virginia and National Association of Secondary School Administrators, and the Chesapeake Association of Public School Administrators. He held a lifetime membership with the PTSA and was a past president, Ruritan of the Year, and member of the Deep Creek Ruritan Club. Other memberships include the Lake Drummond Masonic Lodge, Chesapeake Sheriff's Auxiliary, and the Big Entry Hunt Club. In 2000, the Deep Creek High School football field and stadium was dedicated in his honor, the Nathan T. Hardee Stadium. For the Hornets athletic program, Nat was much more. As a student at Deep Creek High, he was an athlete lettering in many sports. During his teaching career he was a coach of many sports and as principal; he attended all sporting events from field hockey to wrestling. "When you think of the word athletics at Deep Creek High School, you think of Nat Hardee." In 2003, Nat was honored as a recipient of the W. Randolph Nichols Scholarship Foundation Award for his years of service and dedication to public education. He was recognized as Chesapeake Public Schools Boss of the Year two times during his career and as Citizen of the Year by the Deep Creek Lions Club. Nat was totally dedicated to young people and to public education. He loved what he did and once said "You feel like you are making a difference and I look forward to coming to work every day." Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Barbara B. Hardee; a daughter, Tammy H. Rodriguez and husband Steve of Chesapeake; two sisters, Ellen H. Jefferson and husband Phillip of Charlotte Courthouse and Grace H. Hyman and husband Johnny of Chesapeake; a granddaughter, Lauren Rodriguez; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Deep Creek Baptist Church, 250 Mill Creek Parkway, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Chesapeake. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Deep Creek Baptist Church. Flowers are welcomed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nathan T. Hardee Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Towne Bank, 137 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, Great Bridge Chapel, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Friends are also invited to send condolences and sign the online guestbook at www.omanfh.com.