Steve was born on October 29, 1932, in Conway, South Carolina, to the late Claude Carlton Clardy and the late Ellen Stephens Clardy. Steve grew up in Socastte and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and graduated from Myrtle Beach High School in 1949. Steve lettered in football in high school and attended Newberry College on a football scholarship. When Steve joined the Navy, he continued to play football in the Great Lakes region. In the Navy, he served on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Steve later obtained his Unlimited Electrical Contractor license.
Steve loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. With a great spirit of adventure, Steve enjoyed the mountains, gardening, camping, hiking, and his backyard song birds. He loved nature and took pride in the beauty of his yard and garden. He will be especially remembered for his love of life, his devotion to his family, his commitment to Scouting, his quick wit, and his generous heart. He was always doing for others and wanted to make life better for those around him.
Boy Scouts was a big and important part of Steve’s life. He was the Scout Master of Troop 33 at Sardis Presbyterian Church for over 15 years. During that time, over 50 of his Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Steve was a member of the Catawba Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. In addition to leading six Council Contingency treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, he earned his beads at Philmont’s Walking Wood Badge. Beginning with the 1973 National Jamboree in Cordyline, Idaho, Steve was either a Scout Master or Staff Member at ten consecutive National Jamborees.
Steve founded Basic Electric Company Inc. in 1963 and served as President for 50 years. He also founded and managed many successful family businesses, most notably: Boardwalk Beach Resorts, Boardwalk Towers, Aspen Asset Company LLC, and Rocking B Farms.
Steve was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Bertha (Beth) Elizabeth Clardy, their son, Michael (Mike) Hamilton Clardy. He is survived by his loving companion, Janet Sutton Howard; his sons, Chip Clardy and his wife Christie, and Richard (Rip) Clardy and his wife Charlene, all of Charlotte; his grandson, Steven Clardy and his wife Gretchen, and great-granddaughter, Adele of Reston, Virginia; and grandchildren, Kathryn Clardy, Katie Clardy, Michaelanne Clardy, Sarah Clardy, and Timmy Clardy, all of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Harry and Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road in Charlotte. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held Thursday, October 17th at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Harry and Bryant Funeral Home. Steve will be interred at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday, October 19th at 11:00 am.
The family requests any memorial donations be made to the Clardy Family Endowment Fund at Mecklenburg County Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1410 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.
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