Lee Roy Hardy

Lee Roy Hardy, age 88, of rural Liberal, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.      Lee Roy was born December 14, 1925, in Perkins, Oklahoma, one of the five children of Newland and Ida (Hilbert) Hardy.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard James Hardy and Glen Hardy; and two sisters, Hilda McFall and Juanita Bunney.      On June 9, 1944, Lee Roy joined the U.S. Army, serving with the 756th Tank Corps during World War II.   He returned home June 25, 1946, and on January 5, 1947, at Perry, Oklahoma he married Lorene Grant.  They moved to Missouri in 1950 where Lee Roy worked for the Missouri Highway Department for over 30 years in addition to being a long-time Barton County farmer. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Liberal, MO.      Survivors include his wife of more than 66 years, Lorene Hardy of the home; two sons, Greg (Karen) Hardy, Liberal, and Randy (Dixie) Hardy, Joplin; a daughter, Jeremy (Ray) Hinkle, Halfway; ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.      Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 Friday.  Burial with military honors will be in Liberal City Cemetery.      Contributions are suggested to Gideons International in care of Daniel Funeral Home.      Condolences may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net