Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Hardy Terry Brogdon Jr. was born at home in Buford, Georgia, to Myrtle and Hardy Brogdon Sr. in 1928. Hardy, who was known as Jack throughout his childhood, was the youngest child in the family. He had six older sisters: Burl, Bobbie, Jimmie, Jewell, Dorothy, and Montie. Everyone in the family loved the little boy nicknamed Jack. The family was Baptist and went to church every Sunday. His mother was a homemaker, who was a wonderful seamstress. She made all of the clothes for the kids. In her later years, she worked doing professional alterations. Meanwhile, his father worked at the Bona Allen Company. The company was well known for its leather tanning industry and even made custom saddles for the singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers. The city of Buford later erected a statue of Roy Rogers and Trigger. It's possible that Hardy's father worked on some of those famous saddles.

His niece, Nan, was seven years younger than Hardy and there were so many good times growing up. She remembers wonderful visits to Hardy's home after school. His mother always had a table full of food. He always had his hair combed and he was a good-looking boy. He was very intelligent, an avid reader, and a good student. He was also fun to be around. One of his greatest talents was playing the piano. In fact, he played classical piano beautifully. It was an in-born talent and to his family, it was an amazing gift to sit and listen to him play incredible pieces such as Malaguena. The piece was so difficult to play, but Hardy played it beautifully and with ease on the piano.

Hardy graduated from Buford High School and went on to Piedmont College, earning a degree in Business. He voluntarily joined the United States Army, serving his country proudly in Japan for a few years in the 1950s. After returning home, he moved to Atlanta and later to Southern California. Family was always important to him. As long as his loving mother was still alive, he always went back to visit her. He kept in touch with his siblings, nieces and nephews by writing letters and phoning family members regularly. He always sent a birthday card to Nan on her birthday and she always sent him a birthday card on his. Hardy was also a dear uncle to his nephew, Dan, as they kept in touch by phone and exchanged birthday and Christmas cards over the years as well.

Professionally, Hardy worked in the banking industry in Southern California. In fact, that is where he met life long friend, Bob. Hardy was his teller when Bob went into the bank and they became friends. Hardy also had a special friend, Douglas. Bob and his friend were very close with Hardy and Douglas for many years. Bob remembers Hardy as very easy going. Hardy was one of the good guys. For quite a few years, they had a dinner club of four couples and they'd visit a restaurant once a month. Sometimes they had to wait for an hour or more to get a table at a restaurant and they decided to give up the hassle and move their dinner club to their homes. They rotated dinners at their homes every four months. Hardy and Douglas were terrible cooks, though, and it was a little joke amongst the group when it was their turn to cook for everyone. It was truly wonderful fun and times were filled with laughter and great conversation. The couples went to Las Vegas once a year and took in a fabulous show. It was a lot of good fun. One of the best shows they saw over the years was the showman, Liberace. They had connections and gained first class seats. It was incredible because they were down front in the balcony seats. A vintage Rolls Royce rolled onto the stage and the chauffeur stepped out, opened the back door and Liberace emerged wearing a full-length white ermine coat. There are a lot of good memories of taking trips and traveling together as a group.

After Douglas passed away, Hardy alone worked up the courage to go to AA where he met a friend in Ron. They became good friends and Ron was very supportive of Hardy and the two became roommates for many years until Ron passed away.

Nine years ago, he became good friends with Ay. Hardy was extremely supportive of Ay's interest in music as he recognized his talents and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. They became good friends and Hardy shared many life stories with Ay, who was always happy to listen to tales about the good old days.

His nephew, Dan, visited Hardy eight years ago. They rode all around Southern California enjoying the tourist's view on Rodeo Drive, visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Park high in the hills. It was a wonderful week long vacation with Hardy. Dan will miss the wonderful conversations they had by phone. Hardy always remained devoted to his family and connected to his hometown of Buford, Georgia.

Once a month, Hardy and his close friend, Bob, spoke for an hour on the third Sunday of the month around 3:00 pm. Bob will miss those phone calls, as the friends were very close and spoke about everything going on in their lives. Bob spoke with Hardy by phone the Sunday before he passed and everything was fine and he was at peace with his life. In fact, Hardy was planning on driving to a restaurant on the California side of the border, where he went once a month to get away for a few days. Bob will miss good old steady Hardy.

His family and friends will remember Hardy as a smart, outgoing, compassionate person. Musically talented, they'll remember his love of classical music and songs by Barbra Streisand. Family was very important to him throughout his life. Although he was private, he was a very loving, caring person who had a good life. His family believes he is now reunited with his parents and sisters in Heaven.

Hardy was preceded in death by his parents Myrtle and Hardy Sr.; siblings Burl, Bobbie, Jimmie, and Dorothy; friends Douglas and Ron. He is loved and remembered by sisters Jewell and Montie; niece Nan; nephew Dan; friends Ay and Bob; and many extended relatives in Georgia. May he rest in peace…