John R. Hardison peacefully went to Heaven on January 6, 2018 after a short illness. He was born September 22, 1942 in Ventura, California, to Jacque and Richard Hardison. As a young person, he enjoyed hiking and hunting on his folks and grandparents ranches. He grew up in Fillmore, CA, graduated from Fillmore High School in 1960, and went to Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington because he wanted to learn to ski. When he earned his degree in education, he and his first wife Angela moved to Yakima.
He taught at Wilson J. H. until it changed to a middle school. Then he went to Eisenhower H.S. where he finished his 30 years of teaching.
John loved to ride, hunt, travel, ski and build fence.
He remarried in 1975 to Ruth Friebus. Together they built our home in West Valley: lots of fencing, irrigating, and lawn mowing. He loved working and playing in the outdoors.
Sadly, he lost his only son, Greg, in 1977. It was a hard blow to the fabric of his life.
He became a strong leader in Redeemer Lutheran Church, serving as secretary and president over the years. He enjoyed the process of planning and building the new church in West Valley. He loved to talk to people about his faith. As president, he wrote monthly articles to the congregation to keep folks on board with what was going on. The articles slowly morphed into proclamations of faith. Northwest Publishing House printed three of his books: “Under God’s Sky”, “A View From the Mountains”; and “Put Baby Jesus in Your Wagon”.
John fought the battle to live until his lungs and heart could not work without extra ordinary help. It became quite difficult just to breath. He slipped quietly from life on earth to life in heaven with the help of modern medicine.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, brother David (Julie) of Colville, WA, sister Marion Holladay of Fillmore, CA, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and son Greg.
His body will be interred at West Hills Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 10203 Tieton Drive at 11:00am on Friday, January 12, 2018. To share a personal memory or condolence of John, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.