Here's to the young man born in Jasper, Texas, where he grew up on a 1500 acre ranch in South Texas and at an early age was quite a runner and took tap dancing like a young Fred Astaire. The pride of South Texas, he was on the track team and won First Place in the Relay and Third in Hurdles at the South Texas Border Olympics in 1942.
Hardy attended Allen Academy Military School in Bryan, Texas and graduated high school there in 1943. Continued his education at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas and was drafted into the infantry military service in World War II in 1944.
He served his country three years over seas in the division of the 108 infantry 1944-1945-1946. Joined the 40th division Layte, fought in infantry there for six months. Then made the first wave landing in Mendanoa where he was wounded on his 31st day on the island. The Japanese shelled the island and his entire company was nearly wiped out. In the attack, they shattered a tree and it fell on Hardy knocking him unconscious. They flew him to the medical hospital where he stayed for 31 days recovering from shell shock. He ended his duty in driving a crash boat to pick up flyers that had crashed in the ocean.
Hardy received the Combat Infantry Badge, Two(2) Bronze Stars, The Expert Rifleman Medal, The Philippines Liberation Ribbon, Philippines Independence Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, A Victory Ribbon, Three(3) Overseas Service Bars, and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon for his bravery and service. He received his honorable discharge on November 26, 1946.
Hardy returned to the states and continued his education at The University of Houston. He worked his way through college by raising, cutting and bailing hay. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1952 with a degree in Agronomy. Hardy worked in the food and grocery business-Mandel Conn, Rice Food Markets, Kroger, Randall's and Safeway. Bought himself two(200) acres in Richards, Texas, located in Grimes County and after he retired from Rice Food Market and Randall's Food Market, he began raising Santa Gertrudis cattle and currently Santa-Cruz registered breed which is a cross between Gertrudis and Gelbvieh for the last 19-20 years. Now he and step-grandson are growing, cutting, bailing and rolling Tif 85 Hay; a very successful endeavor!
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Hardy Lee Hilbun Sr. and Frankie Flora-Hilbun.
Hardy leaves behind to cherish his memories his wife, Laura Ferguson-Hilbun.
A Graveside service is set for Tuesday, January 7, 2020 for 2:00pm at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home and Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 South, The Woodlands, TX 77384.
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