James "Jim" Wesley Hardin, Jr.

James Wesley Hardin. Jr., “Jim”, 87, died peacefully at his home in Kosse, Texas, on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Fort Parker Cemetery, in Groesbeck, Texas, with Pastor Jon Honea officiating. 

Jim was born on March 23, 1934, in Marlin, Texas in the back of what is now known as Williams Feed Store.  During WWII, like many other families, Jim's family moved to Houston. Jim attended Reagan High School in the Houston Heights area. He helped take their baseball team all the way to the State Championship in 1952 playing shortstop.

Jim was drafted into the United States Air Force and served during the time of the Korean War. Jim thought he would travel the world, but the Air Force had different plans for Jim Hardin. He played shortstop for the USAF baseball team and taught bombing navigation.  Upon returning home, Jim attended the University of Houston studying electrical engineering.

Jim married his wife of 59 years, Gwen, on October 26, 1962.  He worked at Houston Lighting and Power as the manager of the electrical maintenance department.  While working for HL&P, Jim also taught electrical engineering at San Jacinto Junior College.

In 1992, Jim retired from HL&P. He and Gwen decided to pack up and move to Kosse, Texas where they built their horse farm. They have lived there ever since.  He loved spending time with family. He always looked forward to them all getting together for their big family reunions.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his brother.

He is survived by his wife Gwen; his two sons, Gary James Hardin and James Wesley Hardin III; granddaughter, Crystal Jean Hardin and grandson Montana James Hardin; and great grandchildren, Caleb Gabriel Dozier, Bellah Marie Hardin, Levi Robert Congleton and Montana James Hardin, Jr.