Gordon Hardage Sr.

HARDAGE Gordon Hardage, 76, died peacefully Thursday, May 26th at his daughter's residence after a lengthy and determined struggle with lung cancer. He was the son of Hugh Hardage Sr. and Winifred D. Hardage, co-founders of Hardage & Williams Funeral Homes, which became Hardage & Sons, then merged into Hardage - Giddens Funeral Homes. Mr. Hardage attended West Riverside Elementary, John Gorrie Junior High, where he was in charge of advertising for the school newspaper, The Siren, and was graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1952. Soon after, he enlisted in the US Army and volunteered for airborne training in the 11th Airborne Division. He served actively from Feb. 1953 to Feb. 1956 and was deployed to Japan during the Korean conflict. He made a total of 29 training jumps preparing for an assault that, thankfully, never happened. After discharge from active duty he served as a reservist until 1961. In 1956 he entered the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas, was graduated in 1958, and became a licensed funeral director. Shortly thereafter, he became a partner at Hardage & Sons Funeral Homes. He had worked with his father and brothers in the funeral business since his high school years and continued to be affiliated with the firm, until shortly before his death. Gordon was a Mason in the Riverside Lodge, a Shriner, and had been a member of the Florida Yacht Club for many years. He was an active member of the Evangel Temple Assembly of God. His family, friends, and associates appreciated his dignified mild manner and sensitive, caring nature. He had a mischievous grin, unique chuckle, and low-key sense of humor that he sustained until the end. He was unflinchingly devoted to his faith, his family, his friends, and his profession. His son, Victor Hardage, his four brothers, Hugh Hardage Jr., Donald Hardage, Robert H. Hardage Sr., and Richard Hardage predeceased him, as did his wives, Betty Ison Hardage, Barbara Bryson Hardage, and Barbara Blitch Hardage. Survivors include his two sons and their families, Gordon Hardage, Jr., his wife Alicia, and their daughter Regan; Michael Allen Hardage, his wife Cherie, and Michael's daughter, Elizabeth Ann; and one daughter, Courtney Elizabeth Hardage; four sisters: Mary Phillips of Arlington, Texas, and Winifred Stewart, Derry Jo [Richard] Taylor, and Margarette Jeanne Chambliss of Jacksonville, along with 15 nieces and nephews. Survivors also include one stepson, Clif Vigal (Sheila); three stepdaughters, Barbara (David) Shutt, Katherine (James III) Lylerly and Pamela (Richard) Copeland, and their children. Courtney, Michael and Gordon, Jr. gratefully acknowledge Gordon's caregivers, Allison, with Community Hospice, along with Henrietta, Sharon, LaSandra and LaToya, who made it bearable. The family will greet friends during visitation at Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Chapel (729 Edgewood Ave. S.) on Friday, June 3rd from 5:30-7:30 pm. His funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, June 4th at 10:30 am at Hardage-Giddens Hendricks Chapel (4115 Hendricks Ave) with pastors Cecil Wiggins and Garry Wiggins officiating. Interment services will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include William Billy, Hickory Fant, Gid Giddens, Charlie Green, George Leinenweber, Juan Lorenzo, Don Presley and Gilbert Weise Sr. Memorial donations may be made to Evangel Temple, 5755 Ramona Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida, Community Hospice of Jacksonville, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729. S. Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32205 (904) 388-2711 www.hardage-giddensedgewood.com