Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Hardy, daughter, Brenda Lee Odham, his parents, Fred and Jessie Hardy, brother, Bob Reel and sister, Virginia Hardy.
He is survived by daughters, Linda McCraw of North Little Rock, Debbie Hardy (David Pool), and Dawn Hardy (DJ) of Little Rock; son, Freddy Hardy (Cindy) of Bryant, Arkansas; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Lois Mitchum of Pontoon Beach, Illinois and Kay Wiedeman of Granite City, Illinois.
Ray served his country as a Marine in the Korean War. He was a dual Purple Heart recipient. He went on to retire from Union Pacific Railroad after 40 years. At the age of 80 Ray went back to work at Wal-Mart produce department in Jacksonville where he made many special friends. He received his 5 year pin and received employee of the year award in 2012.
The family of Ray would like to express our sincere thanks to Arkansas Hospice for their support and care of our father during the last few weeks of his life.
Visitation will be Monday, October 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and funeral services on Tuesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home. Officiating his service will be Dr. Sidney Thompson of Ironton Baptist Church in Little Rock. Interment immediately follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Arkansas Hospice.
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