Dec. 24, 1934 ~ Dec. 21, 2016
B. Carmon Hardy died on December 21, 2016 at his home in Fullerton, California surrounded by his loving wife Kamillia and several of their children. Carmon was born in Vernal, Utah on December 24, 1934 and graduated from High School in Washington in 1953. He married Kamillia Compton on July 31, 1954 and received his B.A. from Washington State University in 1957 and an M.A. Degree from Brigham Young University in 1959. Thereafter he was a Teaching Fellow and completed further graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree from Wayne State in 1963.
In 1961 Carmon began teaching as Assistant Professor of the History and Philosophy of Education at Brigham Young University. In 1966 he resigned from Brigham Young University and accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of History at California State University, Fullerton. Carmon taught at Fullerton (where he became a Professor and Department Chair) until 1998. Because of his love for teaching he continued to teach on a part time basis as Professor Emeritus until 2016. He also taught courses at the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Los Angeles; Chapman University, El Toro Campus; and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.
Carmon had a passion for teaching and shared his love of mankind's journey through time with his students. During his career Carmon was recognized for his outstanding teaching skills and for his mentoring of students. He received California State University's Meritorious Performance Award for Excellence in Teaching (1988); and the History Student's Association Award for Outstanding Mentoring of Students (2002). Carmon mentored and inspired many students throughout his more than half century of teaching.
Carmon was a recognized scholar, meticulous researcher, and gifted writer on a wide range of topics including the Third and Fourth Amendments to the United States Constitution. A sample of his articles include: "The Emperor Julian and his School Law"; "Privacy: A Constitutional Right?"; and "The Third Amendment." He also co-authored a textbook on world history and published six other books on a variety of subjects.
Carmon wrote ground breaking works on Mormon polygamy, beginning with his dissertation "The Mormon Colonies in Northern Mexico, 1885-1912" (1963); his masterful and award-winning Solemn Covenant: The Mormon Polygamous Passage (1992); and his distinguished book Doing the Works of Abraham. Mormon Polygamy: Its Origin Practice and Demise (2007). These works are recognized as the most balanced and nuanced works ever written on this controversial topic.
Carmon received many awards for these and other scholarly works. These included Dialogue's (a Journal of Mormon Thought) Best Article Award (1991) and the Mormon History Association's Best Book Award (1993). In addition The Utah State Historical Society awarded Carmon its Dale Morgan Best Article Award (1981); and it's Best Documentary Book Award (2007). In 2008 the Society awarded Carmon its highest honor when he was installed as a Fellow of the Utah State Historical Society.
Carmon also wrote eloquent and forthright accounts that reflect his own journey as a historian including "Self-Blame and the Manifesto" (1991); "Lords of Creation: Polygamy, the Abrahamic Household, and Mormon Patriarchy (1994) and "Polygamy, Mormonism, and Me (2008). Carmon's intelligence and honesty were only matched by his kindness and generosity.
Carmon is survived by his wife Kamillia, his children Melody Robertson (Mark); Cristine Hardy; David Hardy (Danielle); Ameilia Marasciullo (Matthew); and Robin Hardy; his brother Jerry Hardy, his sister Karma Hardy, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. They will always remember how Carmon kept them spellbound with stories from history.
The family invites all of Carmon's friends and colleagues to join them at a memorial service on January 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate Carmon's exemplary life at the Fullerton Marriott, California State University, 2701 Nutwood Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Jan. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for B. Hardy

11 Entries

Merle H. Graffam

January 22, 2025

I knew Carmon briefly. He visited my home in Indio decades ago and we talked Mormon history for hours until the sun went down and he returned home many miles away. He was intelligent, understanding, and kind. We share information and enjoyed each others company. He is missed. - Merle H. Graffam

paul martin

January 20, 2020

I entered an entry an hour ago but I do not see it here. At the peril of being redundant, I do want to offer my condolences to Kamilla and the children who were very young when I met them when the family lived in the apartments east of the campus. Professor Hardy is without parallel among the many whom I have known in the course of three university degrees. I visited with him in 2006 and gave him a copy of a paper I had written at the University of New Mexico on the counterculture in Eugene in the sixties; I was there! I am saddened to learn of his passing and will always remember whims a mentor, a teacher, and a friend.
Graefully,
Paul Martin, class of '69

Brice Fialcowitz

November 5, 2019

Professor Hardy was the best professor I had. No question and very little competition. He was there for my first semester. I was so excited thinking college was going to be this good. (It wasn't.) An extraordinary teacher. I ran into him years later in Sears and was able to tell his in person. Later I particularly enjoyed his "Solemn Covenant." Please know of my belated sympathy.

Tracy Robles

July 4, 2019

Always in my memory of you, how you granted me your unconditional love, accepting this orphan into your loving family.
Always in my memory the stories you would so eloquently tell at Christmas.... the one about the German Family in Washington is so penetrated in my mind it will never leave , so grateful for such a heart felt emotional story
My heart is broken to have learned that you have
Passed
Thank you for accepting me and your love Carmen
Lovingly,
Tracy a Hawkins Robles

November 15, 2017

Your absence is nearly too much for me to bare most days. My only consolation are my memories of your love and deep kindness for not just me but for everyone. I miss you more than words could ever express my dear father.

Your Daughter Cristine

Kent Valentine

November 14, 2017

What a GIANT of a man! I was stunned the first time I saw Dr. Hardy in action: He stood at the very front of the stage in the large lecture hall...speaking without notes...and he single highhandedly brought US History and Constitutional Law alive right before our eyes. He was an absolutely magnificent mentor, role model, and American...with a very wry sense of humor/amusement. I will miss you greatly, Dr. Hardy-- but I will NEVER forget you.

Robert Miller

July 26, 2017

I'll never forget your history courses at Cal State Fullerton Dr. Hardy. You really made us graduate students think long and hard with regards to historiography. I still have all the books you assigned and I think of you when I reference them. You will be missed but you live on through your family and your students.

Jacqueline Gurrola

February 18, 2017

Carmon will forever be in my memory bank, so loving, caring & welcoming. My heartfelt condolences to his wife & children.

Steven Clark

January 15, 2017

I never met this gentleman but sure wish I would have. Without wonderful historians like this man we would have perspective on our existence. All the best to the family in this time of grief.

So in live, forever and a day...

Cristine Hardy

January 13, 2017

Daddy, what a man, husband and father extraordinaire. I truly feel as if I am the luckiest daughter ever to have lived. Handsome, wise, gentle, always, always concerned about others. I am more than proud of you father. You are my heart beat...until we meet again.
Your loving daughter,
Cristine

Karma Hardy

January 12, 2017

Carmon's gentle and accepting nature was always outstanding. He had an extraordinary ability to listen and to learn from the people around him. He seemed to be on a life-time quest to understand human nature and it's place in the universe. Carmon's intelligence and knowledge was surpassed only by his modesty. Also, as a credit to him, he should be recognized for the love of his wife and family. His love was genuine, and he always exuded his pride and gratitude for his family. His absence now leaves an irreplaceable void for all of us.

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