Jack Edward Hardman

Jack E. Hardman, 87, of Cape Coral, Florida died on August 28, 2024, in his home of natural causes. He was born on Tuesday, June 8, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio to the late Howard and Mary McKee Hardman.

Jack attended Chillicothe High School, after High School he joined The United States Air Force in 1955. He served for four years and was honorably discharged on August 14 1959. Jack attended vocational training school in Amarillo, TX for Aircraft mechanic and Jet fighter mechanic training. He was assigned to the 48 th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as an aircraft mechanic. He was stationed in Japan and Germany. He received a medal for Good Conduct.

Jack continued to work as an aircraft mechanic in the commercial sector, for companies like Pan-AM, Boeing, JetRight, United, Delta and retiring with American Airlines in 1996. He met his late wife, Erika Hardman in Germany during his station there. They were married on October 31,1969. Jack and Erika were married for 46 years, during those years they enjoyed skiing, camping and exploring the great outdoors. They also vacationed to tropical places like Aruba, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. They both enjoyed planning family vacations and taking their granddaughters on numerous road trips. Jack would start each morning with a tall glass of tomato juice, reading the newspaper cover to cover while the sun rose. He liked his time outdoors enjoying the hot humid Florida weather by the poolside watching the canal from his

back patio. Jack was a proud member of the Eagles Club, and enjoyed weekly visits with his friends at the club.

Jack was a supporting family member and a doting grandfather. He is survived by his stepson Christian (Karen) Schmidt, San Antonio, TX; his two granddaughters, Heidi (Scott) Schmidt, Nashville, TN, and Tanya Schmidt, San Diego, CA; his two nieces Amy Hardman, Chillicothe, OH and Robin Dodson, Amarillo, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Erika Hardman, his two sisters, Janet and Barbara and his two brothers, Paul and Thomas.

Jack’s last wishes were to be cremated and his ashes, along with Erika’s, to be scattered in the warm ocean water off the coast of Florida. We will host a boat charter from Ft Myers, Florida next year to scatter their ashes with family and loved ones. Likely in the heat of the summer, Jack’s favorite time of year.