Roland Neal Hardy, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, age 84, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 28, 2021.
He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 15, 1937 to Fay and Myrna Hardy. He was adored by his big sister Patricia. He grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from West High School in 1955.
Neal served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Central States Mission in 1958.
He met his sweetheart in 1960 while visiting his mother at work at the Relief Society Magazine where he was introduced to Margene Ludlow, his mother’s secretary. Margene married the boss’s son in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1961.
After 3 months of marriage, Neal was called to basic training at Fort Ord, California by the United States Army. He was then transferred to the 115th Engineer Battalion, Company C at Fort Lewis, Washington where Margene later joined him. They lived in Olympia Washington in a small apartment across from the harbor, where they would watch the boat races. They returned to Salt Lake City where he would serve in the Utah National Guard for 20 years. He served as sergeant “chef” at Camp Williams. His children have fond memories joining him for KP duty.
Neal taught his family by example, the value of hard work. He worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for over 30 years. While working his full-time job, he had several “side” jobs cleaning buildings before and after work. His family would often help him with these jobs. After retiring from the Post Office, he became a “handy-man” for several companies, ending his service as a handyman at the Sandy Courtyard Marriott.
Neal enjoyed cooking and would cook the Sunday family dinners. He made the BEST gravy. He would often snack while carving the meat and not be hungry as we sat down for our meal. He enjoyed gardening in cans and bottles of fruits and vegetables. He made his own food dehydrator, making his own fruit leather and dried fruits. He loved fishing, woodworking. He made his children hand pieced quilted tree skirts and hand-tied quilts for the grandchildren. He was a collector of coins and things. He enjoyed reading western and Romance novels. He enjoyed watching Hallmark movies with his sweetheart.
Neal would say his greatest accomplishment would be his family that he and Margene built. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and would share pictures and stories with anyone who would listen. He would pull out his wallet and the pictures would just cascade down.
He is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Margene; children: Michelle (Chris), Raymond (Carolyn), Rodney (Rachael), Melanie (Kyle), Ryan (Kari), Mary (Jeff), Randy (Natalee), Rick, 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by father Fay, mother Myrna, sister Patricia Kershaw.
Funeral services will be held, Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Little Cottonwood 9th Ward, located at 1160 East Vine Street, Salt Lake City. Viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Interment will be at the Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.
To view completed services click the "Watch Services" button above or click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/6LhiyKxGFoZl8ujTTJn6cSunaCVhW9-yC7p38wfYnYl2aN96BBUKEDfN1lQCdPJW.9MG1QE1Fa8QOYVS4?startTime=1639250058000