Gordon Hard Sr.

Gordon T. Hard.,age 89, passed away on January 29, 2018 surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.
Gordon was born in High Point, NC, on January 21, 1929, to proud parents Al and Marjorie Hard.
During his grade school years, Gordon and his family moved to Illinois where he attended local schools.
As fate would have it, Gordon went to the fair with some friends on the perfect day. After walking around and taking in the sights and sounds, Gordon’s eyes met that of Lois L. Lauderdale. For him, it was love at first sight and afterwards Gordon turned to his friend and said, “that’s the girl I’m going to marry.” Gordon and Lois dated for some time and united in marriage on July 14, 1948. They were blessed with four children during their time together. In 1968, Lois was diagnosed with melanoma and fought a long, hard fight but passed away in February, 1974
Gordon was working at an advertising agency for some time before opening P & G Motor Sales with his friend Pete in Franklin, IN. A few years later, Gordon and Pete went their separate ways and Gordon’s family made their way back to Batavia, IL. Later, Gordon and his friend, Tom, opened their own company making golf putters that his step-father had designed and patented. The company was called Sta-Line Manufacturing. Gordon spent his days holed up in the basement building putters but when the sun went down, he put down his tools and picked up a pair of drumsticks to pound out syncopated jazz rhythms at various gigs in the surrounding region. Gordon’s musical passions followed him for the rest of his life and he never missed a chance to sit like a king behind a drum set.
During this time, Gordon taught himself how to repair radios and later learned how to repair TVs. When the Sta-Line company came to an end, Gordon utilized his skills in repair and started up his own business.
Following Lois’s passing, Gordon continued to live Batavia until 1986, when he moved to Oklahoma where his youngest daughter lived. He was able to continue his work repairing radios and T.V.’s and added computers to the list when an opportunity to service the local junior college came about. Even after his retirement, his hands were rarely idle. Dabbling in solar and wind power kept him busy as he worked diligently to augment his home in the latest technology, making sure it was a beacon in the night when large storms and the eventual power outages plunged nearby houses into darkness.
One week after Gordon’s 89th birthday, he decided to lay his tools to rest, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Gordon had an industrious spirit with a perfectionist streak and underneath it all was a heart of gold. Though his hands built many things, it was his heart that helped build the loving foundation of his family. Gordon not only cared for Lois, especially during her battle with cancer, but his grandma as well when declining health came to call. He was always ready to help with homework and was first in line when Lois made her famous meat loaf. Many nights were spent talking for hours around the table after dinner but when Johnny Carson came on, he was present and accounted for, sitting on the couch with his requisite popcorn. When most others had turned in for the night, Gordon, with coffee in hand, had just begun. Gordon made his mark, leaving behind numerous projects, but it was the marks he left on the hearts of all who loved him, that will stand the test of time.
He is survived by three children: Gordon D. (Kathleen) Hard, Kathy (Roy) Krughoff and Jayne Hard; five grandchildren: Makenzie and Rachel Wojcik and Allen, Kevin and Cass Krughoff; not to mention a community of friends that will remember him well.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie Morrison and Al Hard; his wife Lois; one brother, James Hard and his son Scott Hard.
A memorial visitation will be from 3-4 p.m., August 11, 2018 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A celebration of his life will follow visitation at 4 p.m. Private family interment will follow at a later date.

A memorial visitation will be from 3-4 p.m., August 11, 2018 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A celebration of his life will follow visitation at 4 p.m. Private family interment will follow at a later date.