John William Tardy, Jr.

John was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 21, 1933. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Louise Ione Tardy, his father, John W. Tardy Sr., his mother, Evelyn A. Tardy, and his sisters, June Morris, Marian Jenkins, and Phyllis Harris.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Gray-Sibley and husband Richard of Ashville, North Carolina; his two sons, John Tardy III and wife Ann of Newport News, and Charles Tardy and wife Katty of Hampton; ten grandchildren, Major D. Jason Gray, USAF (retired) and wife Maria, Petty Officer Patrick Sibley and wife Bobbi, Cedric Sibley, John Tardy IV, Kristine Tardy, Paul Tardy, Jessie Loper, Charlene Dowdy and husband Nicholas, Allison Tardy, and Amy Perez and husband Christopher; five great-grandchildren, Kayla Gray, David “Jason” Gray Jr., Amanda Tardy, John Tardy V, Rachel Tardy; sisters Joyce Mitchell and Patsy Hobgood; and sister-in-law Mary Thompson and husband Maury.

John spent his childhood in Snowden, Virginia, and moved to Hampton when he was 10. In 1947, he met his childhood sweetheart and lifelong companion, Louise Ione Tardy, while a student at George Wythe Jr. High. In 1950, at the age of 17, John enlisted in the US Navy and married Louise shortly after.

As a Navy Seabee for nearly 20 years, John traveled the world serving throughout four different continents. Most notably were his two tours in Vietnam where he was the recipient of the Purple Heart medal. After retiring from the US Navy, John became a law enforcement officer for over a decade, serving for the Hampton City Police Department and Hampton Veteran’s Affairs.

Above all, John will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather whose legacy lives on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He will forever be missed.

The family will receive friends from 11am to 12 pm Monday, May 5th, 2014 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 pm in the Chapel with interment following at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.