Ronald Braxton Hardy was born February 10, 1943, to Clyde Beckum Hardy and Wilma Cobb Hardy in Pulaski, Tennessee, the youngest of their four children. He passed peacefully in his home with his beloved wife of 30 years at his side on July 21, 2025.
Ron instructed the family to keep his obituary short and sweet, but if you have been touched by Ron’s kindness and accomplishments, you understand that is very difficult to do.
After graduating Giles County High School in 1961, Ron entered the United States Air Force with a curiosity for machinery and engines. That knowledge and interest grew as he served until 1965, from bootcamp at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, through eight months of jet fighter school in Amarillo, Texas, and the position of Crew Chief at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
He then studied at Martin College and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduating from UT in 1969. Ron worked as a sales manager for Martin Industries before becoming the owner of Hardy Machinery in Huntsville, Alabama.
Ron and his wife, Monica, are members of Whitesburg Baptist Church. Ron was grateful for the love around him and the kindness, grace, and good humor people can show each other in good times and in hard times. He believed very strongly in helping others.
He was preceded in death by both parents, brother, David Lawrence Hardy of Ardmore, TN and sister, Wanda Hardy Darnall of Arlington, TX.
Ron is survived by his wife, Monica; sister, Barbara Hardy Puryear of Pulaski, TN; brother-in-law, Mike Darnall of Arlington, TX; several nieces, extended family, and innumerable friends.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Whitesburg Baptist Chapel (South Campus) followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
