Obituary of Spencer R. Hardin

Spencer Richard (Rick) Hardin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away at his home December 16, 2009, following a 9-month courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Rick was born on February 18, 1953 in Moulton, Alabama to Spencer Earsey and Bertha Lee Elizabeth Hardin. He graduated from Decatur High School in Decatur, AL where he played basketball, becoming an All-Stater two years and an All-American senior year, leading his team to state title in 1970. To this day, many still reminisce about what an experience it was to watch him play hoops. He was a phenomenal basketball player, accomplishing extraordinary feats. He aptly became known as "Ace" and more commonly "Houdini". For these reasons, Ricky - as he was better known at that time - will be inducted in the Decatur High Basketball Hall of Fame. After high school, Rick played for Mississippi State and John C. Calhoun Junior College, earning MVP of several college tournaments. He played basketball and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1976. He was married to Kathleen Toohey in 1972, sharing 20 years of marriage and three children: daughter Stephanie Therese and sons, John Wesley (wife-Renae) and Spencer Richard (Ricky) Jr. In 1981, he started his career at First Interstate Bank in the mortgage banking division as a manager and later as Assistant Vice President. Being an avid athlete and tremendous competitor, Rick participated in company and church sports teams, coached his son's basketball team and became a skilled golfer, winning several local tournaments. He also formed Hick Hardin and the Rowdy Country Boys from which he wrote and produced countless country songs. In 1989 he began his 19-year career as a real estate agent and at the time of his death, he was the Marketing and Recruiting Director for Dove Realty. In 1997 he married Kyung S. Hong with whom he shares a stepson, Jayson Hong and his step granddaughter, Emma Rose. He was especially proud of his granddaughter, Dyani Elaine Elizabeth (Ricky). Preceding him in death were his father, Spencer and sister, Carolyn. He is further survived by his mother Bertha Lee, two sisters, Linda Ratliff (Mike) and Judy Welch (Lamar) and brother, Billy, numerous nieces and nephews and close friends, John Troupe and Armand Charbonneau. Rick had a zest for life; he loved babies, nicknames and competing. He truly was the life of the party. Services will be held on January 9th, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Congregational Church, 4606 108th St., Lakewood, WA 98496. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Stephanie Hardin at 13910 NE 12th St., #S102, Bellevue, WA 98005.