Archibald Hardy Obituary

Archibald "Archie" Hardy III, 86, of Saluda, North Carolina, and formerly of Columbia, South Carolina, died Tuesday evening, April 11, 2023, after suffering a stroke.

Mr. Hardy was born on Saturday, December 19, 1936, in Columbia, South Carolina, to the late Archibald and Sarah (Heyward) Hardy, Jr. On October 4, 2011, he married his loving wife of eleven and a half years, Beverly M. Kinder, who survives. He had a long career in the field of recreation, working for South Carolina State Parks (taking his family to test every campground) and other organizations before going into business for himself, designing playgrounds and parks for children across the region. He also proudly served four years in the South Carolina State Legislature. Mr. Hardy enjoyed cheering on sports teams from his alma maters: University of South Carolina (BA), University of North Carolina (MA), and University of Georgia (Ed.D); he felt his degrees gave him bragging rights to the many winning teams from all three institutions. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, a Rotarian for many decades where he was a proud Paul Harris recipient, a member of the Town Club of Columbia, and a faithful member of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia and the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda. Mr. Hardy had lifelong friends who laughed at his jokes during monthly poker games and weekly barbeque lunches. An outgoing member of the Saluda community, he loved playing banjo, calling square dances and bingo, playing competitive duplicate bridge, telling jokes, and showing off his endless collection of crazy socks. He was always happy and never met a stranger.

In addition to his wife, Beverly, affectionately known as "Bevie," he leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Sarah Boykin Hardy and her husband, Gavin Lower, of Darlington Heights, VA; Archibald "Chip" Hardy IV and his wife, Mary Stuart, of Camden, SC; and Mason Bonnycastle Hardy and his wife, Michelle, of Columbia, SC; stepdaughters, Perry Longno and her husband Lance, and Emmie Wright and her husband Jon. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and step-grandchildren he loved to sing for: Landon, Mac, Ian, Sarah Anne, and Mary Heyward; and Cruz, Nami, Levy, Stella, and Jack. He is survived by a brother, Edmund "Beaver" Hardy (Rhett) and sister, Cecil Davis (RB); as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to count. In addition to his first wife, Sally Bonnycastle Hardy, who died in 2009, he is preceded in death by his twin sister, Sarah Heyward Hardy, who died in 1994.

Mr. Hardy's life will be celebrated at three o'clock, Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the home of Beaver and Rhett Hardy, 24 Woodhill Circle in Columbia, SC, and at a Memorial Service at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda, NC, at two o'clock, Sunday afternoon, April 30, 2023.

Memorial contributions may be offered on behalf of Mr. Hardy to the Transfiguration Memorial Fund, 72 Charles Street, Saluda, NC 28773 or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Archie will be forever missed by his loving wife, family, and many dear friends.

May God Grant Him Eternal Rest.

Arrangements are in the care of Church Street Funeral and Cremation, 125 South Church Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina. 828.301.0103.