Max Randall Hardin

He was born on July 23, 1954 to Nelda Clark and Max Wheeler of Hardin, TX. He was an only child and grew up in Abilene, TX. He was a loving, compassionate child who loved animals, baseball, fishing, camping, boating, and lake life. As a boy he would find squirrels and bring them home to raise.

Before finding a calling in sales and management, he began working at an early age in the west Texas oil fields while attending Abilene High School. He later excelled in the automobile sales industry and sought larger markets moving his family to Burkburnett, TX.

Always a sportsman, he played on company sporting teams and would later go on to coach his sons Little League Teams. A true humanitarian, he was well known for helping others in need whether it be making sure families had enough food or that children had toys for Christmas. He decided to leave the automobile industry and successfully owned and operated an electrical salvage business. Working with his sons on a national level, he came to realize he could base himself anywhere.That led to a move to Key West.

He had always enjoyed teaching his sons to fish, hunt, and ski so he decided to share his passion of teaching others by getting his Captains license and becoming a fishing guide. This would be his passion and he had the greatest satisfaction in sharing the waters with others. He loved the people he met and shared their joy as he coached them through catching fish. Be it Yellow Snapper in the Keys or Blue Marlin in Texas, putting a smile on other’s faces was what he most enjoyed. His first long range trip as captain was when along with his crew he took the helm of Easy Rider and left Key West for Freeport, Texas and released a Blue Marin on the way.

He enjoyed listening to music of Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard, and George Strait. Some of his favorite movies were Lonesome Dove, Open Range, and Braveheart. He was quick witted and the King of One-liners.

He lived out the rest of his days running charters and spending time with his family in his home state of Texas. He is a baptized Christian attending Northside Baptist Church in Abilene, TX.He was known as a kind and compassionate father, husband, friend, grandfather and captain.

He is preceded in death by his father, Max Wheeler Hardin on December 12, 2016.He is survived by his mother Nelda Hardin, His wife Lucia Hardin, his son Ross (Brittany) Hardin, His son Nicholas (Rossi) Hardin, and grandchildren Ryann, Reese, Aislynn, Paxton and Eva.

Max was loved while he was with us here on earth, and will be continued to be loved through time and all eternity.