John Paul

Hardin

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IN LOVING MEMORY

John Paul Hardin

Nov 01 1917 - Mar 20 2007

John Paul Hardin, age 89, of McKinney, Texas passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2007 in McKinney. He was born November 1, 1917 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to Ivan and Gertrude (Johnson) Hardin. On July 21, 1940, Paul married Martha McKinney in Sulphur Springs. After growing up in Sulphur Springs, he attended Tarlton State, Annapolis and George Washington University. Hardin was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict serving in the Army Air Corp (Air Force). During World War II he served as a Captain of a C47 in Indochina where he received the Bronze Star. He started his business career as manager of local Chambers of Commerce in Jasper and Navasota in East Texas. In 1947 he moved to McKinney to become manager (President) of the Chamber of Commerce. During the Korean War he was recalled to active service being stationed at Perrin Field in Sherman. After his discharge in 1953 he came back to McKinney to work for the East Fork Association, which worked for flood control and the original construction of Lake Lavon. During Hardin's early years in McKinney he formed a lasting friendship with A.M. Scott Jr. In 1956 Hardin left the East Fork Association and joined Scott at A.M. Scott Insurance Agency. His respected knowledge of insurance matters and his deep commitment to public service kept Hardin busy. His service included President of the United Way, six years on the McKinney School Board, six years on the McKinney City Council, 20 years on the McKinney Planning and Zoning Commission and four years on the North Texas Municipal Water District Board. When he relinquished his seat on the McKinney City Council to his son, Andy, Hardin Boulevard was named in his honor. He served as campaign treasurer and manager for the Honorable H. Ray Roberts during his service in the Texas Senate and the Congress of the United States. Hardin was recognized throughout his life for his service to the community many times including being named Citizen of the Year in 1955. Being family oriented his six grandchildren occupied a large space in his non-business time. He also spent many hours doing extensive research on McKinney's past which required him to spend countless hours reading old newspapers and city records to provide the information he used in his talks to local groups about McKinney. He is survived by his wife Martha Hardin of McKinney, Texas; sons, John Hardin and his wife Keri of Anna, Texas and Andrew Hardin and wife Amy of Frisco, Texas; 6 grandchildren, Thomas, Blaine, Cody, Brittany, Dillon and Hayden, sister, Estelle Alspaugh of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and several other loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, James Hardin, Jack Hardin, Don Hardin and Ivan Hardin and sister, LaRue Hart. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, March 23, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in McKinney with Rev. John Allen and Father Dean Pratt officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Thursday to pay their respects and to sign the register book. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of McKinney, 315 North Church Street, McKinney, Texas 75069.
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Memorials

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