Ryan Hardy

James Ryan Hardy, known by his friends and family as Ryan, left his earthly life on September 13, 2023.

Ryan was the deeply beloved son of Ron and Kellie Hardy. He was born on December 20, 2002 in Dallas, Texas. He graduated with honors in 2021 from Woodrow Wilson High School, also the alma mater of his grandfather, for whom he was named. He was a member of Greenland Hills United Methodist Church in Dallas, where he was an enthusiastic member of the youth group and of Boy Scout Troop 325. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouting Honor Society. Ryan was a student at Dallas College, studying mechanical drafting with a dream of designing performance cars.

Ryan was a natural-born engineer, like his father. He was immensely talented and creative, with natural gifts for music and art. Ryan played guitar and electric bass, performing featured roles in his high school marching, jazz and symphonic bands. Ryan loved cars. His first intelligible sound as a baby was the sound of a car engine revving, which he would utter as he watched motorists pass by on the street. His great love was his 1993 pearl white Lexus LS 400, the canvas of his low-rider dreams. Ryan’s kindness and compassion were the highlights of his personality, freely given to his friends, family, and strangers alike. He loved animals, in particular his beloved kitten Sadie, cultivating plants, and exploring outdoors. He loved walking and biking around White Rock Lake. He was a terrible skateboarder, but he kept trying.

Ryan is preceded to heaven by grandparents Dean and Edith Hardy and grandfather, SgtMaj. James R. Gibbons, USMC (Ret). He leaves to mourn his tragic loss his parents; beloved sister, Britney Hardy and; cherished grandmother, Virginia Gibbons; and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life for Ryan will begin at 1pm on Saturday, September 23, at Greenland Hills United Methodist Church, 5835 Penrose Ave, Dallas, TX 75206. A reception will follow immediately, also at the church. Please direct all flower deliveries directly to the church. Those that wish to join the service on livestream may do so via Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/greenlandhillsumc/ or YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@greenlandhillsumc

In honor of Ryan, please consider donations to a Habitat for Humanity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Hardy family.