John A. Hardman Jr.'s Obituary
On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, John A. Hardman (84) lost a valiant 9-year battle with cancer. He will be interred at Bay Pines Veterans Cemetery. A long-time resident of Pinellas County, John was born in Mount Vernon, NY to John and Marie Hardman. The family moved to Pinellas Park when John was in elementary school. He attended Northeast High School and joined the U.S. Navy as an AF. While in the Navy, he married Martha Hays. They were married for 65 years and had three children: John, Michael & Lynn Craske (d); six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. After the Navy, he worked for the telephone company as a lineman. John’s vocation in life was to be in law enforcement. He worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and detective. While a deputy sheriff, he helped develop the Junior Deputy program, and worked closely with the Sheriff to expand the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. He was presented a lifesaving award from the Sheriff for his heroics in saving a sky diver from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico. He left the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to join the United States Marshal Service and worked as a Deputy Marshall for twenty-six years. While with the Marshal Service he participated in the Indian uprising at Wounded Knee, became a Federal Firearm Instructor and a Glock Armorer, amongst other activities and assignments. During those years in law enforcement, he continued military service in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He retired from the Navy with 36 as a Chief Master at Arms. After retiring from the U.S. Marshal Service, he helped with security for Dollywood, advised US interests in England concerning Anti-terrorism, and became a bailiff for the U.S. Marshall Service and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. In his later years, John found a home in the fishing and gun departments at Bill Jackson’s in Pinellas Park.
John was a Godly man who never met a stranger, loved traveling with his wife, fishing, and teaching firearms and firearm safety. John’s service to the nation and community was only outmatched by his love and devotion to his family and friends.
Services will be held at Anona United Methodist Church on Friday, August 9.
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