James Lewis Hardin

James Lewis Hardin

Midland

James L. Hardin, 93, currently of Midland, and formerly of Newton and North Wilkesboro, NC and Danville, VA., died June 20, 2019, following a short illness. James was born April 10, 1926, in Sparta to the late Jay Allen Hardin and Georgia Lee Corpening Hardin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Mabel Wyatt Hardin, his sister Ellen Church, his brother William O. (Bill) and sister-in-law Donna Duncan Hardin, and nephew Allen Hardin.

James graduated from Sparta High School and often hosted reunions for his class. From 1944-46 he proudly served in the U.S. Navy primarily in New Guinea. Upon discharge, he attended Appalachian State Teachers College (now University) for a year before leaving school to help run the family general store. In 1950 he entered Draughn’s Business College, transferring after a year to Strayer College in Washington, D.C. where he graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in commercial science. From college, he went to work for an auto finance company in Danville Va. which was controlled by Northwestern Bank. He joined Northwestern’s staff in 1963 in North Wilkesboro and in 1967 was transferred to Newton as Vice President and head of the Newton branch. In addition to his banking career, he was a founder and part owner of Suzuki Motorcycles of Newton.

He served his community as a director for the Eastern Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, he was a Rotarian and a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member of Shriner’s. In 2015 he was recognized for over forty years of service as Supervisor for the Catawba Soil and Water Conservation District.

James enjoyed life and was always up for fun. He loved to travel, often taking family camping trips to the beach. He also enjoyed playing bridge with friends and gardening.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Glenda Ruth and David E. Miller of High Point, NC and their children and spouses, Dr.Virginia Ruth Miller and Dr. Alecia Anderson of Omaha, NE. and Matthew D. and Kelly of Raleigh NC along with their son William Wyatt Miller. Sons and daughters- in- law James Fred Hardin and Janice Vance of Morganton, and David Wyatt and Sandy Hardin of Claremont NC, and his sons John David and his wife Rebecca and their daughters Hillary Elizabeth and Mallory Mabel of Huntersville NC., and Adam Robert (Hardin) Calloway and his family of Lenoir. He is also survived by his long-time companion and recent caregiver Ernestine Helms of Midland and special cousin, Harry Corpening as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist, Newton with receiving immediately following in the Gomedela Room. In addition, a graveside service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019, at 2:00 pm at Shiloh Cemetery in Sparta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.