Joseph "Joe" Eugene Hardin

Joseph Eugene Hardin was born on June 11, 1966, in Yakima. He and his family moved to Selah when he was five, where Joe attended school and watched and followed sports, especially the Seattle SuperSonics. Joe loved to play basketball, and in the summers, he was on the Selah Swim Team and made frequent trips to Cody, Wyoming to visit family.

After the family moved back to Yakima, Joe attended Davis High School. He loved being a Davis Pirate where the students were kind and accepting of Joe and other students with special needs. First Presbyterian Church of Yakima was where Joe enjoyed participating in youth group and working at Camp Ghormley.

After graduating, Joe attended the Yakima Skills Center where he participated in radio broadcasting, and he then worked at Yakima Specialties. In 1992 Joe began a much-loved career at Nob Hill Safeway as a courtesy clerk. For the next 16 years he found joy and meaning in his work at Safeway and with his fellow employees whom he adored. Customers would get in Joe’s line at Safeway just so he could bag their groceries and walk them to their car.

Joe lived with his sister until he moved into supported living with Community Living of Yakima. With them, Joe enjoyed many activities, his roommates, and staff who loved and supported him.

Always a huge sports fan, Joe read the sports section and watched the Mariners and Seahawks.

Joe will be missed by so many people, especially his devoted sister Heather Kessler, her husband John, and his nephews Noah and Gavin. Heather would like to thank family friends for their visits, Community Living for their years of support, DDA of Washington, and the staff at Cottage in the Meadow for their compassionate care.

Joe’s life will be celebrated Saturday, June 29 at 2 pm at Keith and Keith Funeral Home. Memorials in Joe’s honor can be made to Camp Ghormley or Community Living of Yakima.