Joseph Clay Hardin of Pulaski TN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the age of 90. He was born in Sevierville, TN on December 12, 1929. Coach Hardin, as many knew him, was a retired teacher, principal, and coach. He graduated from Carson Newman with a Bachelor’s degree and received a Master’s +45 from Peabody at Vanderbilt University. After he served in the Air Force, he began his teaching career at George Wythe HS in Wytheville, VA. Upon moving to Pulaski, he served as football/basketball coach and principal of GCHS, athletic director and basketball coach at Martin Methodist College and men’s basketball coach at Athens State College. Coach Hardin was inducted into the Sevierville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Martin Methodist College Athletic Hall of Fame, and TSSAA Hall of fame. Coach Hardin will always be remembered for his service to the community and the students he impacted.
The family suggest memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
Proceeded in death by his parents, Sanders Hardin and Edith McConkey Hardin and his wives, Martha Judd McMahon Woods Hardin and Mary Dolores Cathcart Townsend Hardin, brother Jack Hardin, and Sisters Nita Bowling and Margaretta Clayton. Survived by, son Scott (Susan) Hardin of Brentwood, son, Steve (Anissa) Woods of Houston, TX, son, Bobby Townsend of Pulaski, daughter, Cathy (Barry) Laxson of Pulaski and 12 grandchildren, Tatum Hardin, Fate Hardin, Sanders Hardin, Jack Woods, Allie Woods, Megan Smith, Jackson (Cara Paige) Townsend, Parker Townsend, Morgan Townsend, Whitt Laxson, Meredith Garvin, Courtney Fay and 4 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation at Bennett-May & Peirce Funeral Home Saturday August 1, 2020 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Respectfully we ask people to maintain movement in the visitation line and refrain from physical contact.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 3:30pm at Maplewood Cemetery.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements for Joseph Clay Hardin.
