John Albert Hardaway passed away on September 2, 2019. He was born on June 18, 1959, in Jeffersonville, Indiana to Joshua Lawrence (Larry) Hardaway and Norma Jean Hardaway.
He graduated in 1977 from Jeffersonville High School during which much of his time was spent on the court or on the field as a very competitive and gifted athlete. On a football scholarship, he attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas for a short time, later transferring to the University of Evansville (UE), Indiana where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finished his college football career. Upon graduation in 1982, John joined Brown-Forman for a long and fruitful 37 year career – earning numerous awards in many different sales and marketing roles. John retired from Brown Forman in July of 2019.
While at UE John met the love of his life, Wendy. They married in October of 1982. John and Wendy were blessed with two beautiful children, Tyler and Anna.
John was gracious and generous with his time and energy. He was a passionate mentor in his professional, personal and family life. This may have been best demonstrated by volunteering as a track & field coach at Ravenwood High School for almost 20 years. He took great pride in coaching/mentoring young student-athletes where many of his “jumpers” went on to successful and rewarding college careers. John also served as President of Songs for Sound, a cochlear implant awareness charity that worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the profoundly hearing impaired. John enjoyed being outdoors while gardening, hunting, fishing for Specks with the Coastals, tossing corn-hole on the beach or simply enjoying his favorite bourbon with his closest friends.
He will be remembered as a kind and gentle person of keen intellect, quick wit and loved to pull a good practical joke. A man committed to helping others, especially younger people.
There will be a time of visitation at the Fifty Forward Martin Center, 960 Heritage Way in Brentwood on Friday, September 6 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 7 at 5:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Songs for Sound – John Hardaway Fund, 8161 Hwy 100, Suite 225, Nashville, Tennessee 37221.
To leave a note for John’s family or share a memory, please sign the online guestbook.
