(May 2, 2012)

Centenary mourns lifetime trustee

SHREVEPORT, LA — Lieutenant General John Spencer Hardy '38, who had a meaningful and lifelong connection to Centenary, passed away in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, May 1. Born in Logansport in 1913, he would have celebrated his 99th birthday on May 7.

A retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and a 1938 Centenary graduate, Hardy was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1971 and made a Life Member in 2005. He funded the John Spencer Hardy and Elizabeth Virginia Doyle Hardy Endowed Professorship in memory of his first wife, who was also a 1938 Centenary graduate.

Hardy attended Centenary as a non-traditional student while he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. He was a career officer in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1935 until 1970. In 1942, he served with the Eighth Air Force in England and was named Chief of Operations in 1943. His military decorations include Army and Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm, Royal Hellenic Order of King George I, and Commander with Merit of The Order of the Italian Republic.

Well into his nineties, Hardy could be found at least three days a week in the Centenary Fitness Center. He and his wife, Norma Ann, were also regular attendees of special Centenary events. In 2010, he was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame for his many contributions and continued dedication to his alma mater.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Norma Ann Hendrick, as well as his children, step-children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The visitation will be at Rose Neath Funeral Home on Marshall Street on Thursday, May 3, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at First Baptist Church Shreveport in Frost Chapel on Friday, May 4, at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Donald Webb will be officiating the service. Lt. Gen. Hardy will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.