One of Roane County's most eminent businessmen and civic leaders has passed.
Charles Owen Hardman has died at age 91.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John's United Methodist Church in Spencer.
He was past president and chairman of Hardman Supply Company, and dutifully served on numerous civic and community projects in Roane County all his life.
A veteran of World War II, Hardman fought in the Battle of the Bulge. and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
He personified the ideals of a Main Street, USA businessman, always mindful of his community, neighbors and customers.
He was the retired president and chairman of Hardman Supply Company. He also served as a board member, the president and chairman of the Traders Bank, a partner in Massa Oil Company and Five Star Oil & Gas Company, and the president of Spencer Roane Grocery, all in Spencer. In addition, he was a former board member and treasurer of the board of directors of Doit Best Corp, Fort Wayne, Ind.
During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant in the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, where he fought in the European Theatre and helped liberate St. Lo, Mortain, Evereux and Spa, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and, in 2008, was presented a Legislative Citation for his military service by the West Virginia House of Delegates.
After attending Peddie Preparatory School in Hightstown, N.J., he graduated from Spencer High School and West Virginia University with a BA degree in business and economics. At WVU he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served as the manager of the boxing team. As an ROTC cadet, he was a member of the National Society of Scabbard & Blade.
As one who loved his community, he was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church, the Spencer Rotary Club, American Legion Post 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5783, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Masonic Lodge 38, all in Spencer. He also served on the West Virginia United Methodist Spring Heights Commission. He was a former president of the West Virginia Builders Supply Association and a former member of the West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors.
See complete obituary at
wvgazette.com
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