Hardy D Cofer

COFER, Hardy D., passed away in his residence at Lakewood Saturday evening, November 3, 2018, a week before his 88th birthday. He was born November 11, 1930, in Smithfield, Va., and graduated from Smithfield High School in 1949, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Hardy attended The College of William and Mary on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1953. After college, he played in the minor leagues for a few years, at a time when most baseball players made very little money. After a few months working in the off-season, Hardy quickly found he was an excellent salesman. He moved to Richmond, Va., where he remained for the rest of his life, and began his career as an award-winning insurance agent, mostly with The Horace Mann Companies. As an insurance agent, he was always an advocate for his clients regardless of their background; his customer service was always outstanding. In Hardy's spare time, he played tennis, enjoyed the mountains in Wintergreen, Va., vacationed at Virginia Beach and often ventured to Las Vegas to show off his blackjack skills, rarely leaving without enough winnings to pay for his trip. In everything he did and everywhere he went, he was quick with a joke, few things giving him more pleasure than making someone laugh. Even in his last days, after many years battling COPD, if you walked into his room and he was awake, he'd be sure to make you smile. Hardy is survived by his son, Eric D. Cofer; grandsons, Carson S. Cofer and Conner S. Cofer; and children, Robert L. Cofer, John S. Cofer; and daughter, Susan D. Cofer. A Celebration of Life will take place on November 20, at Raintree Swim & Racquet Club, 1703 Raintree Dr., Richmond, Va. 23238, from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hardy's memory to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, or to Hope Church, 12445 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23238.