James Robert Hardwick

James Robert “Jim” Hardwick, 88, died November 5, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas after an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 13 years, Marrianne Hardwick. He is survived by son, Michael Hardwick and Carol Nolen of San Antonio, Texas and his daughter, Dr. Elaine and Winston Lambert of Los Altos Hills, California, as well as to two grandsons. Other survivors are cousins Ron, Don, Doyle and Bill Chapman of the Austin area, his housekeeper, “angel” Lidia Zuniga, as well as many close friends and two cats he loved -Pancho and Little-Fella.

Jim was born and raised in Eastland, TX, the son of Ray and Lou Hardwick (Sealy). His first game for Eastland High School, he pitched a no hitter and was recruited for a tryout with the St Louis Cardinals. After graduation from Texas Tech in January 1953, he taught vocational agriculture in high school, sold insurance and worked for more than 30 years in agricultural chemical sales with American Cyanamid, AmChem, Union Carbide and Rhone Poulenc. He lived in many Texas communities: Cary, Brownwood, Earth, Lamesa, Lubbock, Madisonville and San Antonio.

His colleagues in Ag Chemical sales nicknamed him “GrandPa Wick” due to his good humor, expert cooking and exceptional mentorship. He was known for his sharp wit and even sharper memory. As an expert marksman and outdoorsman, he exceled at fishing, hunting and trap shooting - winning the Texas State Championship in 1997, shooting 198 out of 200. He had a playing card shot in half on edge with a pistol at 30 feet when he was 71, something he had done many times before.

Jim was a devout member of the First United Methodist Madisonville Men’s Friendly Bible Class, where he found many close friends.

He was a devoted father, faithful husband and friend and will be missed by many. He loved and cared for animals especially his cats but also fed the stray and feral cats in his neighborhood.

Donations to honor Jim can be sent to Madisonville United Methodist Church.