Leonard Hardwick

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Leonard Earle Hardwick, 94, of Waco, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2007. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, August 3, at the Lake Shore Church of Christ, 2800 Lake Shore Drive. Neil Cosgrove will officiate, assisted by Ernie Christie.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 2, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. A memorial video honoring his life will be shown during the visitation.

Leonard was born October 23, 1912 on a farm near Aquilla, to Green R. and Mary M. (Walker) Hardwick, the third of six boys. He was raised on a farm between Ross and Elm Mott in McLennan County, and attended school through 10 grades at Ross School. He graduated from Waco High School in 1929 at the age of 16, and attended Baylor University. While in school he developed a love for radio and technology.

He met Ruth A. Willis, and married her on September 6, 1940. The marriage produced five children, Linda Jeanette, Judith Elaine, Glenn Alan, David Keith, and Don Stephen. He spent his career working as an office manager for various companies in the Waco area. He retired in 1976 and founded Platemakers which he sold in 1990.

Leonard was involved in the Church of Christ, serving the congregation at Herring Avenue and Crestview as an Elder while calling Lake Shore as his church home in the latter years.

Leonard wrote a memoir of his life entitled "From Dawn to Dark" which he authored as a gift to his grandchildren to describe the changes he saw in the world he experienced in his 94 years of life. He was also a published poet.

He was preceded in death by all five brothers; daughter, Linda Jeanette; son, Glenn Alan, and wife, Ruth, on April 17, 2006.

Leonard and Ruth have been blessed with many wonderful and supportive friends throughout their lives. It seems so simple to just say thank you. The prayers, calls, cards and friendships enjoyed by Leonard and Ruth as well as support through the death of Linda and Glenn sustained and strengthened them throughout their lives.

He is survived by his daughter, Judith Elaine McEachern and husband Jerry of Buna; sons, David Keith Hardwick and wife Jan of Belton, and Don Stephen Hardwick and wife, Alice of Waco; grandsons, Brad McEachern, Glenn Hardwick, Jeremy Hardwick, Patrick Hardwick; granddaughters, Karen Hebert, Helen Patton, and Sharon Hardwick; and six great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Hardwick, Glenn Hardwick, Patrick Hardwick, Brad McEachern, Brody Hebert, and Dan Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles McGregor, Ted Getterman, Walter Hill, Allan Horton, James Sorrells, Howard Smith, D.L. Reneau, Doyle Helms, and Bill Coker.

Memorials may be made to the Lake Shore Church of Christ, 2800 Lake Shore Drive, Waco, TX 76708.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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