Byron Byrd Hardy

A 1969 graduate of Russell High School, East Point, Georgia, he joined the Army Reserves and served as a Staff Sergeant for twelve years.

At the age of 17, he met his true love, Valerie Taylor. On their first date they attended Sunday night church at 2nd Baptist Church in East Point, Georgia and never parted from that day. Byron and Valerie married on August 14, 1971, and spent the next 53 years in love and raising a family. Byron called Valerie “his bride” and never left her side after returning from the Army Reserves.

The greatest joy for Byron and Valerie was the birth of their son, Phillip. Byron loved to spend time with Valerie and Phillip in the North Georgia mountains camping, fishing, and enjoying God’s beautiful outdoors.

Byron and Valerie had their own business of residential sanitation, Environmental Waste Inc., in Douglas County, Georgia for 20 years. Byron and Valerie moved to Cartersville, Georgia in 2007 to be closer to their son and his family.

Byron and Valerie volunteered at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa, Florida for 7 years making lifetime friendships and memories. Byron and Valerie camped on Cumberland Island National Seashore for 40 years, including this past summer with their grandson, Nate Hardy. Byron was also an avid NASCAR fan and attended the Daytona 500 annually with his brother, Gene.

Biking was a passion of Byron’s, riding a minimum of five miles on his mountain bike after working a full day for Bartow County Nutrition Department. He worked for the Bartow County School Nutrition Department for the last 9 years, delivering food and supplies to 19 schools all over Bartow County.

Byron never met a stranger and always had a smile for everyone he met. He was an eternal optimist and never gave up even in the final days of his battle to stay on this earth. A true servant of Christ, Byron was always asking how he could serve others, sometimes doing work or giving to others without their knowledge. Accepting Christ at the age of 8 during Vacation Bible School, Byron continued his commitment to his faith with daily devotions and reading his Bible whether at home or on vacation. Byron and Valerie are members of Cartersville First Baptist Church.

Byron loved his hometown team: The Purple Hurricanes. You could find him and Valerie at every home game and many away games in the stands cheering on the Hurricanes, while also admiring their son, Phillip, who serves as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for the Hurricanes and their granddaughter, Elizabeth, who is a member of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. His favorite college team was Auburn University where his oldest grandson, Garrison, graduated in May 2024 and their younger grandson, Nate, began attending this fall. This past spring Byron was honored when asked by his grandson, Garrison, to be a part of his Commissioning ceremony to the United States Navy at Auburn University.

In between football games and attending his grandchildren’s activities and events, Byron and Valerie could be found at their RV campsite on Lake Allatoona where they enjoyed the outdoors and fishing. Just this year, Byron and Valerie caught and cooked over 40 fish for their grandchildren to enjoy.

There is no doubt Byron was the biggest cheerleader for his granddaughter Elizabeth, attending her track and cheer events all over the state of Georgia. Byron beamed with pride when Elizabeth was selected as Bartow County’s 2024 Distinguished Young Woman. Byron “Deda” took great pride in the fact that he never told his grandchildren “No” and thoroughly enjoyed giving to them and loving on them any chance he could. Byron always told his grandchildren “I love you” and “I’m proud of you” before leaving them.

Known as “Mr. Fix It”, Byron could create a fix for any problem. If the solution was not found in a store, he would create and build his own solution. He was also the voice of Santa for many children around Christmas and truly embodied the giving spirit of Santa.

Byron is survived by his loving wife, Valerie, his son, Phillip and daughter in law, Luticia. He is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren, Garrison Hardy (fiancé Alexandra Salvatore), Nathaniel (Nate) Hardy, and Elizabeth Hardy. He is also survived by one brother, Gene Hardy (wife Kay) of McDonough, Georgia.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Owen Funeral Home. Following the visitation, a celebration of life service will follow at 4:00 PM in the Owen Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to the Bartow County Nutrition Department Mr. B Memorial Fund.