E. Ray Hardy

He was named Ernest Ray Hardy by his parents Paul and Mary Hardy of Lawsonham Pennsylvania and born on September 7, 1931. Ray graduated in 1949 from Union Joint High School in Rimersburg, Pa. and joined the Air Force serving for 11 years thru both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1951 he married Jeannine Axton and they had 3 children. He flew missions along the Atlantic coastline searching for foreign submarines as the radar technician. He ended his service with the rank of Technical Sergeant where his specialty was radar. He then joined the Texas Air National Guard for 2 years. Next he hired on with the FAA and over time became Operations Manager in charge of the air traffic controllers and programming radar systems. He also served as Commander for American Legion Post 153 in Olathe, Kansas until his retirement.

From there Ray followed his many passions which included buying and restoring antique vehicles, remodeling and flipping houses before it was a “thing”, and getting his Captain’s license to pilot ships. In 1994 his wife Jeannine passed away. In 1997 he married Lillie Moore and they ran an antique shop for several years in Madison, Florida. However, his love of the beach and sea called and they bought a boat and moved to Panacea Florida to enjoy boating, fishing and beach walking.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Hardy; his sister, Martha Hawk; and his first wife, Jeannine Axton Hardy. He is survived by his wife, Lillie Moore Hardy; his brother, Jerry Hardy (Fran); children: David Hardy (Mary Jo), Valerie Hesse (James), Scott Hardy (Claire), Nicholas Hardy, Keith Bloodworth (A.J.) and Ben Bloodworth (Michelle). He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

A visitation will take place at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, located at 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32308, on December 5, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the same location, starting at 5:00 pm on December 5, 2025.