William Gerald "Jerry" Hardin

William Gerald ‘Jerry’ Hardin, 83, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Cooperwood Senior Living Memory Care in Flowood, MS. Jerry was born on July 29, 1940, in Tupelo, Mississippi to Eva and Grady Hardin. He is a graduate of Hattiesburg High School ('57), Hinds Junior College ('59) and Mississippi State University ('61). He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 1961 to 1965 and worked at the Pentagon amongst other duties. After leaving the military, he returned to Jackson. He married his high school sweetheart Mary Frances Kerr on June 25, 1966, on her birthday, at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. They were married for 58 years.

Jerry owned a distribution for Yazoo Manufacturing in Houston, TX before moving back to Jackson to pursue other interests. He worked as a Central Mississippi Territory Manager for Orgill Brothers until his retirement. He raised two children and gave them inspiration and hope.

In retirement, Jerry pursued his love of hunting and fishing on the Ross Barnett Reservoir. His friends always commented how he was an expert marksman. He enjoyed traveling to see his children in Chicago and North Carolina. He and his wife were members of Liberty Baptist Church, where he also was known to volunteer his time painting and fixing things needing repair. His final two years of life were filled with new friends and activities at Cooperwood Senior Living Memory Care, as well as care from the Visiting Angels of Jackson, Mississippi.

He is survived by this wife of 58 years Mary Frances Hardin; Sarah Elizabeth Hardin, Pittsboro, NC; William Alexander 'Bill' Hardin (Christina Marie) Chicago, IL; two grandsons, Andrew William Hardin and Jonathan Alexander Hardin. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, a visitation and funeral service will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 2 PM followed by a funeral service to follow at 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, (www.alz.org).

In the words of General George Patton, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

Join us in Celebration of Life for Jerry at the Sandi Trap room located at Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel and Conference Center after the funeral. Drinks and appetizers will be available from 5pm to 8pm.