James Leslie Hardin

James Hardin peacefully went to be with his Savior, Lord Jesus, at his home in Bartlesville, OK, November 1, 2022, at the age of 96. James was born in Claremore, Oklahoma on July 30, 1926, to James and Rose Hardin. He was the youngest of three boys, Warren, and Lloyd, both of whom predeceased him, as well as one daughter, Danelle Duvall, and two of his daughters in law, Nancy, and Karri Hardin. He is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Hardin, to whom he was married for 74 years, and by his son, Thad & Lisa Hardin, Athens, TX; his son, Tim Hardin, Norman, OK; his son, James & Cera Hardin, Bakersfield, CA; his daughter, Rosemanne & Andy Park, Bartlesville, OK; his daughter, Ginger & Miller Cunnningham, Dallas, TX; his daughter, Karynne Hardin, Bartlesville, OK; and his son, Will & Ronda Hardin of Dallas, TX. Additionally, James is survived by 34 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. James joined the Sea Bees in 1944, finishing his tour of duty in Okinawa, when WWII ended. Upon returning from the war, he graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK, with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Literature and Theology. While attending college, he began his first pastorate at Lone Elm Baptist Church, Claremore, OK for one year, riding his Harley Davidson back and forth. He married Mary, August 7, 1948, and they began pastoring Francis Baptist Church, Francis, OK for 3 years. He then, pastored 3 years at Choctaw Baptist Church, Choctaw OK. He then formed a new church who met in a former bar, and eventually began construction across the street. It became, Crest Baptist Church in Midwest City, OK where he pastored for 24 years. In 1979, they moved to Kansas where he served as pastor of Lone Cherry Baptist Church, Havana, Kansas, for 26 years. With the help of the members, he oversaw the construction of the new church buildings and facilities at both, Crest and Lone Cherry Baptist Churches. In December of 2018, they moved to Bartlesville, OK to Tallgrass Estates Retirement Village, where he became the resident pastor, delivering his final sermon, on Sunday, October 30, 2022. He loved shepherding his flocks. Jim was also self-employed in the oil and gas exploration in Southeast Kansas for 43 years. The love of his life was his dear wife and his eight children. He loved having fun with them boating, golfing, fishing, crabbing, hunting, flying, selling an array of goods, camping and vacationing all over the country. He was an avid golfer and fierce competitor in any game or sport. He loved the sea and literature and art, and could fix most anything, living out his life by the Navy Sea Bee motto, “Can Do”! He was called Happy Jack in high school because of his jolly spirit and was just one of a kind! Jim’s family will receive friends on Sunday, from 3-5 p.m, at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville. Visitation will also be held on Sunday from 12-5. In Lieu of Flowers donations can be sent to "SOZO Coalition”. You can give on the website, www.sozocoalition.org or mail checks to P.O. Box 12213, Dallas, Texas, 75225. SOZO Coalition, which is led by one of James' daughters and her husband, is an alliance of individuals, families, and churches who have a shared desire to see all peoples rescued by the love of Jesus Christ. SOZO’s mission is to see lasting, self-sustaining, holistic transformation in least reached communities and peoples across the earth. Please designate in memorial for James Leslie Hardin. Thank you. Services will be held on Monday, at 10 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore, Ok. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

James Leslie Hardin

July 30, 1926 - November 1, 2022