Interment:

Cabool Cemetery

Obituary:

Edwin Ronald Hardy, age 82, passed away on April 27 ^th 2019. "Ed" passed peacefully at his home in Cabool, Missouri in the loving care of his wife. The tenth of twelve children, he was born May 24, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Aaron Leslie and Laura Meda Ida (Doweidt) Hardy.

Ed was born prematurely at home, 2 lbs., 5 oz., and only later admitted to the hospital for emergency incubation. He suffered a stroke when he was just five years old, hospitalizing him for a year in Columbia, Mo., leaving him in a leg brace for many years and with a shortened leg with a subtle limp thereafter. He moved with his family to Cabool when he was in third grade and graduated from Cabool High School in 1955. A first generation college student, Ed graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) in 1960 with a bachelor's degree for education in English, Speech, and Drama. While in college, he worked for KY3 TV as a camera operator and floor director. He continued his post-graduate education at the University of Missouri Columbia where he earned his certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist. On August 7, 1960, Ed was united in marriage to Wanda Dennis and to this union three sons were born.

Ed taught in Seymour, Saint Clair, and then Cabool Schools for 30 years. He was the first speech therapist for Cabool and Willow Springs and also taught English, Speech, and directed the CHS plays for many years. After retirement, he worked for Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled in West Plains and Mountain Grove for a total of 12 years. He served for a total of 21 years on the City Council, as both a Councilor and for 16 years as Mayor. Ed served as Deacon at the Free Will Baptist Church for several years and then at the Second Baptist Church of Cabool.

He greatly enjoyed traveling, fellowship with friends, sang bass in the church quartet, and relished quality time with family. Photography was his lengthiest hobby; he built a home darkroom, ran Ed's Photo for a number of years, and was always interested in the latest camera or video recorder. Ed was caring, kind, and as full of wisdom as witty humor. He was truly amazing person that will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his five sisters, Clare, Margaret and Myrtle (the twins), Jean and Dorothy; four brot hers Aaron Jay, Vernon, Louis, and Charles; and his son, Scott Alan Hardy. He is survived by his wife, Wanda June (Dennis) Hardy; his sons, Timothy James (Tonya) and Steven Andrew (Petra); his brother, Tom; and his sister, Shirley. His six grandsons, Dustin (Autumn), Matthew (Jillian), Tyler, Randy (Mary), Dylan, Broderick, and Everett, his granddaughters, Kristin and Timolyn; and his great-grandkids, Ryley, Mckenzie, Teagan, Easton, and Corbin also survive him.