Obituary of Thomas Hardeman

Age 87 of Cayce, SC went to be with his Lord on May 22, 2012, after an extended illness. He was born September 14, 1924, in Columbia, SC, son of the late Hubert H. Hardeman and Mattie Black Hardeman. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Billie Gurganus Hardeman; his brothers Carl (Lila), Clyde (Etha Lee) and Jack (Linda). Those who celebrate his life and cherish precious and loving memories include his daughters Nita (Ed) Sundberg of Lexington, SC and Rita (Vaughn) Hall of Gilbert, SC; grandchildren April (Sean) South, Tom (Laura) Sundberg, Amanda Sundberg, and Johnathon Hall; great grandchild Robert South; devoted friend Betty Collins; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Hardeman was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Merchant Marine from 1943 to 1945. He was honored to serve his country and greatly enjoyed a recent trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC via "The Honor Flight." As an electrician and member of Local 386 IBEW, he worked throughout South Carolina, Georgia, New York, and Pennsylvania. He loved his church family at the First Baptist Church of West Columbia and his Sunday School Class. Mr. Hardeman enjoyed dancing, fishing, gardening, and most of all, traveling around the world. The family will receive friends at 119 Linden Way, Lexington. Visitation will be held at Thompson Funeral Home, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 6 until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012, at the First Baptist Church, 400 State Street, West Columbia, with Reverend Dr. Bill Drees, Rev. Charlton Bozard and Reverend Jody Ratcliffe officiating. Pallbearers will include Tom Sundberg, Johnathon Hall, and Sean South, grandsons. Interment will follow at Celestial Memorial Gardens. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the unnamed family and friends who provided love, support, and prayers and to the staff of the Bernadin House of the Rice Estate for their tender loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Epworth Children's Home, P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250 or to the First Baptist Church of West Columbia, 400 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169.