The Rev. Samuel R. Hardman Sr., 85, a native of Zephyrhills, Fla., and resident of Magnolia Springs, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 at his home.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 during World War II, and was commissioned a bomb disposal officer at 19 and served in the South Pacific.
After the war, he attended the Episcopal Seminary in Sewanee, Tenn., and was ordained a priest in 1950. Returning to the Navy as a chaplain, he served during Korea and Vietnam. Most of his service was with the U.S. Marine Corps.
He retired as a captain in 1975 and moved to Magnolia Springs. He served in various clergy capacities over the next 32 years in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
He was preceded in death by his wife, of 60 years, Trudy; sister, Elva; and son, Joseph.
Survivors include three sons, William C. Hardman of Vicksburg, Miss., Samuel R. (Sue) Hardman Jr. of Fairfax, Va., and Alfred (Connie) Hardman of Fairhope; two sisters, Alfea (David) Thomas of Atlanta and Mary Lee Tyndall of Citra, Fla.; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Old Shell Road, Mobile. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 4051 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36608-1399.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
