ELIZABETHTON — Kenneth Vaughn Hardin, 79, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Hermitage Health Center following an extended illness.
Mr. Hardin worked at Holston Defense from November of 1961 to September 1997 with 30 years of perfect attendance. He was a fast pitch softball pitcher from the early 1960’s through the 1970’s for several teams.
Mr. Hardin and his wife owned and operated their family business, Ken’s Fashions, for many years. He was a member of Siam Baptist Church but attended Lynn Valley Baptist Church. He was known as “Pappaw” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved so much.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce E. Bullock Hardin; parents, Robert and Bertie Hardin; daughter, Lisa Ellen Hardin; and granddaughter, Megan Elizabeth Holly.
He is survived by his children, Sharon Edwards and her husband, Gary, Kenny Hardin and his wife, Tammy, and Angie Holly and her husband, Billy; brother, Ira Dean Hardin; step-brother, R.L. Gobble; grandchildren, Stephanie Garland and her husband, Timmy, Korey Hardin, Bethany Ingram and her husband, Alex, and Lucas Holly; great-grandchildren, Colby Garland and Cambrie Ingram; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Hardin will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Lynn Valley Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until the service hour. Graveside services will be conducted following the service in the Hardin Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Korey Hardin, Lucas Holly, Colby Garland, Timmy Garland, Alex Ingram, Dennis Scalf, Tommy Scalf and Ronald Scalf. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Lynn Valley Baptist Church, retired employees of Holston Defense, and his softball teammates from the ’60s and ’70s. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Caris Hospice, Hermitage Health Center, Rev. Dennis Wilson, Dr. Vivian Clark and Ann Deal, Lynn Valley Baptist Church, John Allen, Ron and Peggy Scalf, and special caregivers, Ina Roark, Dennis Nichols and Kelly Whisenhunt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund of Lynn Valley Baptist Church. To leave an online message for the Hardin family, please visit us at www.tribute-services.com.
Tribute Funeral and Cremation Services of Elizabethton, 419 West Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, (423) 518-1556, is honored to serve the Hardin family.