Harry Stanley Hardin

Stan was born on September 17, 1938, in Fairdale, Kentucky. He was the only child of Harry K. and Kathryn Hardin. He graduated from Southern High School where he excelled in basketball and played quarterback for the football team.

He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force for four years. He worked as a fueler stationed at Edwards Air Force base in California. While in the USAF, he got involved in many sports teams, including basketball and ping pong. These sport teams gave him the privilege of traveling overseas.

After the service, basketball again led him-this time to Porterville, California, where he played for Porterville Junior College. While in Porterville, he met and later married Letitia Hardin (Sickels). From California, basketball led Stan and now, Tish, to Dickinson, North Dakota. There he finished his playing career at Dickinson State College, playing in the 1966 NAIA National Basketball Tournament, as a senior.

Stan returned to Louisville in the fall of 1966 and began his head coaching and teaching career in 1971, retiring from coaching in 2002. He had over 30 years coaching at the high school, Division 1, NAIA, and Junior College levels, including stints at Fern Creek, Fairdale, University of South Carolina, Georgetown College, Saint Catharine’s College, and Holy Cross. He also worked as the Camp Director for B/C All Stars Basketball Camp, the top summer basketball camp for high schools’ elite players from 1977-1992.

Stan coached the 1990-91 Fairdale teams to back-to-back Kentucky State Tournament Championships! As well as being one of the founders of the annual King of the Bluegrass Holiday Tournament, which is one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the country. He is a member of numerous Halls of Fame.

Although his time on the bench had passed, he continued to get involved with helping people in athletics. With his serving as a member of the Board of Control for the KHSAA for several years. Currently, he was still active as a color commentator for the Kentucky State Tournament, JCPS Athletics-working as an Event Manager, and his leadership as a Board Member at Large Kentucky All ‘A’ Classic.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Harry K. and Kathryn Hardin (Hester), and Tallulah Kay Perkins (great-granddaughter). He will be leaving his loving wife, Letitia Hardin (Sickels), his children, Donna (Mike) Gardner, Beckie (David) Hardin Sanford, and Brian K. Hardin; grandchildren, Justin (Aaron), Shaunj, Taylor (Deb), Jessica (Alex), Bradlee (Shelbi), Bailey,Kaylynne, and Kathryn, great-grandchildren, Stanlee, Marlyn, Lynnlee, Braxton, and Vayda; and fur baby, Hercules, an ever-protective and provider of endearingly love and joy to Stan!

Stan, ‘Coach,’ left a much larger legacy of people that he greeted, got to know, mentored, coached, fathered, taught, worked with, enjoyed life with, impacted and loved!

Stan was a dedicated member of First Baptist Fairdale. His faith was important to him and emphasized in every way he lived his life.

To celebrate Coach Stanley Hardin’s life, the family would like to invite everyone to attend visitation and celebration of his life. The visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, with Invocation and Military Honor Guard beginning at 11am; followed by visitation until 5pm located at First Baptist Church Fairdale. The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 20th, 2022, starting at 3pm in Stanley Hardin Gymnasium.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to any, or all, of the following organizations:

*Dare to Care Foodbank (First Baptist Fairdale)

*St. Jude’s

*FCA of Louisville

*Cyndi McHolland Gratitude Fund

Norton Cancer Institute Brownsboro.

Norton Healthcare Foundation

Dept 86148

PO Box 950184

Louisville, KY 40295-0184.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

‘For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day—-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’