Reference is often made in holy scripture about the seen and the unseen, and in thinking about James Raymond Hardy, now departed, our thoughts turn to the reference mentioned above. For many years, Ray, as we knew him did not respond in seeing one and hearing one, yet with this apparent unseeing person it is a mystery as to what all he was viewing far beyond the site of normal man, and even though he had no response to what was said to him, we once again know nothing of his conversation with a power that earthly ears do not hear. We who remain know not why a loved one must remain suspended in an atmosphere between the living and the dead, but we do confess that Almighty God does all things well. Perhaps some day, in a different time and in a different land our loved one will give praise to God while telling about the beauties he could see with his unseeing eyes.
James Raymond Henry was born to the union of James Henry and Clemma Bishop Hardy at Hinch, Missouri on March 22, 1900. He was united in marriage to Helen Poole at Union, Missouri in January 1925 and six children blessed this union. He was preceded in death by a son, Roy Franklin Hardy in 1966 and by his wife in February 1973, and entry into eternity came to Ray Hardy on September 19, 1976.
Those who remain are his loving children, namely, Bernadine Winkler, James J. Hardy, Sarah Vanhooser, Henry Hardy and Margie Speck, as well as twenty-one grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one daughter-in-law and two sons-in-law. He also leaves one sister, Anne Belle DeClew and one brother, Charles Hardy as well as his sisters-in-law, his brother-in-law, and the nieces, nephews, and cousins.
We who remain are most uncertain about the length of our remaining days but for our loved one departed, it was a life of 76 years, 5 months and 27 days.
Mr. Hardy was in state at Hoener Funeral Home, Bourbon, Missouri where funeral services were held Wednesday, September 22, 1976 at 2 p.m. with Dr. G.A. Galloway officiating. The favorite hymns were in organ solo by Lillith Valle. Interment was in the Hill Cemetary with Michael Vanhooser, Ronald Winkler, Robert Winkler, Steve Luecker, Howard Fredeking, and Donald Hardy serving as casket bearers.