Brent A. Hardesty Sr.

Brent Alexander Hardesty Sr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky on March 21, 1930 to Beulah Adkisson Hardesty and Joseph Hardesty. Brent passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday evening, August 12, 2015, at the age of 85.

Brent graduated from Anchorage High School in 1948, where he lettered in basketball and football. Starting at age twelve, he helped his parents at their general merchandise store by making truck deliveries during the war.

Brent graduated with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisville in 1953. After a brief stint with Goodyear in Akron, Ohio, Brent worked for McDonnell Aircraft, in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning in 1955 until his retirement in 1989. He had increasing responsibilities from Civil Engineer, to Chief of Planning, to Corporate Director of Technical Management Systems, and made significant contributions to many programs including the F4Phantom fighter jet, Mercury and Gemini Space Programs, Harpoon missile, Harrier Aircraft, F15, and the Douglas Commercial Airline program. Brent was very proud that his efforts helped strengthen America during the Cold War era.

Brent made a huge impact on the communities where he lived, with contributions ranging from President of the Florissant Area Khoury League, years as President of the Paddock Forest Residents Association and significant PTA efforts. He was a Kentucky Colonel and a huge fan of the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats basketball. Brent was a tenacious problem solver with a generous heart and tireless spirit. He touched many lives by helping people during their times of need.

Brent was a devoted father who always put his children's needs ahead of his own. When the children were young, he read to them every night, coached various sports teams, and played board games and chess. As they grew older, he coached them on financial planning, talked through life philosophies, and helped with business start-ups. Brent was dedicated to supporting his children in all of their endeavors.

Brent was a devoted father to Brent (Mary) Hardesty, Jr., Linda Marco, Cliff Hardesty, and Sandy (Mark) Turney; cherished grandad of Kelly (Chris) Schuler, Brent (Renee) Hardesty III, Heather (Amy) Hardesty, April (Jarrod) Christman, Kaitlyn Hardesty, Jenna Marco, Jason (Jenna) Marco, Jacob Marco, Mark (Jennifer) Turney, Jr., Melissa Turney, Natalie (Corey) Hackmann, Sarah Beth Turney, and Rebecca Turney; treasured great-grandad of Zachary Schuler, Noah Schuler, Nathan Schuler, Brent “Alex” Hardesty IV, Sydney Hardesty, Nicole Hardesty, Danielle Hardesty, Ella Hardesty, Logan Hardesty, Davon Jackson, Ketura Jackson, and Teegan Marco, and a proud great-great-grandad of Zane Alexander Schuler. He is preceded in death by his sisters Irma Wesley, Velma Harper and Bee Powell.

Services will be at Arch L Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home on Saturday, August 22, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY. Visitation will be from 11:00-2:00, with a Life Celebration service at 2:00. Memorials to your favorite charity are welcomed in lieu of flowers. Interment will be at Resthaven Memorial Park immediately following the services.