Mr. Harold L. Hardin

On December 31, 1943, Harold Lee Hardin was the sixth and final child born to Rilla Mae and Will Frank Hardin in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He took pride in being the baby brother of the bunch. Harold accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church. He attended high school in Bowling Green and graduated from High Street High School. He began his collegiate football career at Arkansas Pine Bluff and completed his studies at Texas Southern University, in Houston, Texas. In December of 1960 Harold fathered his first child LaDonna Rose Jewell whom he loved dearly. In June of 1965 Harold married Hazel Marie Oubre and to their union was born his beloved daughter Harolyn YeVette Hardin, who has adored her daddy since she first laid eyes on him. On July 30, 1994, Harold married Muriel A. McClure and to this union, he earned his bonus children, Garland, Michael, Samyra, and Angela. Family was extremely important to Harold, so he made it a point to welcome, include, and support everyone he considered family. As Harold entered the workforce one of his first jobs was with the United States Postal Service as a clerk. He then fell in love with hospitality and began his lifelong career in the industry. He has been involved with developing and managing upscale establishments, including Riverbend Country Club, Kaphan's restaurant, the Summit Club and the Summit Sports Arena. In 1984 Harold ultimately settled at the Forest Club where he devoted much of his life to management, mentoring, and cultivating long-standing relationships until his retirement in August of 2014. He was passionate about teaching and creating opportunities, while sharing his wealth of knowledge of food, food service, and wine. Mr. Hardin was known for always expecting excellence with no exceptions. He demanded professionalism in both appearance and behavior. Mr. Hardin maintained a zero tolerance for nonsense. He was eloquent, debonair, charming, and well versed. Harold always paid special attention to his appearance and was rarely seen not wearing a suit, tie, dress shoes and socks, and never forgot to add his collar stays. He was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sister, William, Richard, Edward, Donald and Fredrecka in “succession" (the order in which they were born). He leaves to cherish his memories his wife: Muriel, his former wife: Hazel, daughters: Harolyn, Samyra (Maurice) LaDonna (Ray) and Angela, sons: Garland and Michael (Rose): grandchildren: Ray, Cameron, Jenna, Maurice, Ainias, Sydney, Mikey, Jordan, Lil’ Garland, Lauren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters in-law, Stella, Cheryl, Carla; brothers-in-law: Winston (Ethel), Cliffen (Anne); aunts Barbara (Joe), Fanny, Maxine, Hazel, and Maxine; uncles: Charles (Delores), Robert (Wandlyn); and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family, friends and co-workers.

Mr. Harold L. Hardin

December 31, 1943 - February 28, 2024