Marshall Lee Hardy

Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 10 AM with burial in the family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls. Rev. Don Pellikan, Associate Minister of First United Methodist Church and Rev. Louis Pearce, Minister of the Mt. Calvary/Falls Chapel United Methodist Church will conduct the graveside rites.

Born October 26, 1951 in Wichita Falls, Texas, Marshall was the son of Elray Norwood Hardy and Margaret Alice (Piper) Hardy. He attended Sam Houston Elementary and Zundy Jr. High and graduated from Wichita Falls High School in the Class of 1970. While a youth he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America program at Grant Street United Methodist Church, Troop 6. He became an Eagle Scout receiving the God and Country Award and was inducted as a member of the Order of the Arrow. His lifetime interests included music, fine photography, sailing, and viewing all types of documentary and classic films. He was a member of the Wichita Falls Sailing Club and sailed on local lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. After graduating from Wichita Falls High School he attended North Texas State University for one semester before accepting a position as a government contract photographer with United States Air Force at bases in Indiana, New Jersey, Del Rio, TX, and Wichita Falls, TX. In 1976, he enrolled at Midwestern University, taking classes and serving as a student worker for the University. He participated in speech and debate at the collegiate level representing Midwestern at tournaments in several states. Marshall did his student teaching in speech and debate at Rider High School and graduated in May 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Speech. He continued his employment and study with Midwestern State University and in May 1988 earned two additional degrees; BAAS, Bachelor of Applied Arts of Sciences; and an Associate of Applied Arts and Science Major of Electronic Technology. Marshall served as the Telecommunications Manager for Midwestern State University from 1988 until his retirement in July 2003. During his tenure, Marshall served as the main Point of Contact between Midwestern State University and the Dallas Cowboys organization for their telecommunication needs during the Dallas Cowboys Training Camps held in Wichita Falls in the summers of 1998, 1999, and 2000. He was a major contributor to the University’s rapid transition through several phases of digital communications including the expansion of distance learning to smaller communities. Marshall was well known in all departments and offices of the campus while troubleshooting and upgrading systems during the years of his employment.

Marshall was a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Fort Worth, Chapter #2 and was proud that that his family had been amongst the first settlers to Texas, arriving with the Vehlein Colony in 1833. Marshall was a member of First United Methodist Church of Wichita Falls.

Marshall was predeceased by his parents, Elray Hardy and Margaret (Piper) Hardy.

Marshall is survived by his sister, Kathryn Hardy Forystek, her husband, Wesley Forystek; and his maternal uncle and aunt, Ralph and Mary Piper and their extended family. Pall bearers include Ken McClure, Robert Mione, Don Reinisch, Jack Martin, Michael Piper, and Jon Gilpin. Serving as Honorary Pallbearer is his uncle, Ralph Piper.

The family wishes to thank the physicians, nurses, and staff of United Regional Hospital, Hospice of Wichita Falls, and his private caregivers for their support during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls,. 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.