Bradley Coleman Hardin

Bradley Coleman Hardin, a beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and colleague, passed away on October 7, 2025, at the age of 55, after a brief but brave battle with cancer.

Born on November 22, 1969, in Phoenix, Arizona, to the late Doris and Calvin Hardin, Bradley lived a life full of joy, curiosity, and adventure. Bradley loved his family fiercely and always made them a priority, regardless of the physical miles that may have separated them. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Mary (Pelzman) Hardin of Parker, CO; his daughters, Sierra King (Jonah) of Malta, NY, and Alaina Juhl (Dristen) of Saint Cloud, FL; his brothers, Wayne Hardin (Beverly) of Silt, CO, and Rodney Hardin (Susan) of Ivins, UT. He is also survived by his former wife and the mother of his daughters, Cinda Hardin-Diediker of Windsor, CO; and many extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Education and Career. A lifelong learner, Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University, and two master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University. Bradley dedicated his career to education, having served as a teacher, school leader, district administrator, and state program director. His warmth and humor left an indelible mark on countless students, teachers, and colleagues. He was a mentor to many, always eager to support and share ideas with enthusiasm. His ability to make people feel seen and valued, often with a perfectly timed joke or movie quote, ensured his presence could light up any room. He made a significant impact on the education communities he served throughout Arizona (Flagstaff and Phoenix) and Colorado (including Brighton, Castle Rock, Denver, and Durango). At the time of his death, Bradley was making a difference as the Career and Technical Education Specialist at School District 27J in Brighton, CO.

Character. Bradley was a very smart and funny man who showed up for those he loved, whether it involved helping with a project, making space at his home, or offering reassurance during a tough time. His ability to find the funny side of almost anything made everything feel lighter, and his laughter had a rare quality that made people feel better just by hearing it. Beneath his banter was depth; he was reliable, supportive, positive, thoughtful, and observant. He was the best gift giver, putting lots of thought into presents and getting so much joy out of watching them being opened. From Bradley, his family learned the values of resilience, kindness, and surrounding yourself with people who truly care.

Passions. A true explorer at heart, Bradley loved to travel, visit historical sites, art museums, and botanic gardens. He was passionate about golf, enjoyed watching or attending live sporting events, critiquing movies with enthusiasm, and loved fine food, wine and Scotch. Star Wars was a definite favorite, as were all types of music; he played piano as a child and keyboards in various bands as a teenager. He achieved a memorable goal of visiting all 50 states with his daughters, completing this adventure on a cruise to Alaska, which he marked with custom shirts and heartfelt cards. An avid competitor, Bradley is remembered for his infamous "Z ball" serve in racquetball that crushed opponents, but he was equally competitive in his intellectual life. He constantly challenged his own thinking on a number of topics, was always up for theoretical conversations, and embraced expanded world views with open-mindedness.

Services. An open house Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at The Swing Bays, 11183 South Parker Road, Unit A, Parker, CO 80134 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm.

As a way to continue Bradley’s lasting impact on CTE (Career & Technical Education), in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Bradley C. Hardin Memorial Scholarship Fund. This annual award supports students in CTE, and any donations received after the current application window has closed will be carried over to the following year’s scholarship.

Bradley is greatly missed and will remain forever in our hearts. His family takes comfort in knowing that his spirit—curious, caring, and full of life—will continue to guide them always. He recently offered this advice to those he loved: “Find people that make you happy and hang out with them as much as possible.” He often quoted, “May the Force be with you. Always.” This sentiment is echoed by all who loved him.