Charles Ray "Caw Caw" Hardin, age 83

Charles Ray "Caw Caw" Hardin, age 83, of Forest City, passed away Friday, December 9, 2016.

A native of Forest City, he was the son of the late Monroe Hardin Sr. and Maybell Lee Hardin. Ray retired after thirty-four years of service with Duke Power Company, Charlotte, NC and was a member of Steele Creek Masonic Lodge #737 AF & AM and 33rd degree Scottish Rite. He served in the Army National Guard and was also a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict receiving a Purple Heart medal, three bronze service stars, United Nations medal, National Defense medal, and the ROK Presidential Unit citation medal. He was a member of Florence Baptist Church, Forest City, and was an avid salt-water fisherman and golfer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Monroe Hardin, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Morgan Hardin of the home, son, Chuck Hardin of Danbury; daughters, Phyllis Hefner and husband Rob of Mill Spring, and Christa Stokes and husband Chris of Charlotte; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and his beloved friend, Brownie the dog.

Funeral services were held in the Florence Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Bobby Gantt and Reverend Jerry Campbell officiating. Interment followed in the Cool Springs Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard and also masonic rites. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Florence Baptist Church, 201 S. Broadway Street, Forest City, NC 28043.

The Padgett & King Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.