John was born on July 7, 1944, in Durham, North Carolina, to Rudolph and Ruth Morton Hardee. An only child, he graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1962 and moved to New York City. In 1965, John volunteered for the US Army. He served two tours in the Vietnam War in the Corps of Engineers and as a helicopter pilot. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1973. He lived for a time in Catalonia, Spain, before moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas, graduating in 1977. In the 1980s, John was a contractor and real estate speculator. He married Julie Arend in 1985, and together they had two children: Benjamin in 1987 and Theodore in 1990. In 1991, John published a book of short stories. Throughout the 1990s, John was a part-time realtor and full-time father to his children, to whom he was extremely devoted. In 1999, John began working for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). He retired in 2008. John spent his final years in Temple, Texas, where he was visited by friends and family.
John is survived by his two sons, Benjamin and Theodore; daughters-in-law Audrey and Claire; grandchildren Maximilian, Alexander, and Theo; Uncle Leon Morton; and Aunts Betsy Morton and Josie Mae Hardee.
A brilliant and charismatic man, John left an enduring impression on virtually everyone he knew. He was a dutiful citizen, caring neighbor, and loving father. Everywhere John went, he was a friend to the people and animals he met.
A memorial service will be held to honor John’s life in February. The date and time of the memorial service are TBD. If you knew John and wish to attend, please contact [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Alzheimer’s Association.
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