Aulton C. (Jack) Hardy

Aulton C. (Jack) Hardy, age 74 of Moses Lake went to be with the Lord on February 16th, 2005. He was born in Luka, Miss. on Sept. 18, 1930 to Clyde and Viola Hardy along with six sisters and a step-brother.

Jack was a Tennessee Walking horse trainer in his late teens before he joined the Army. He served in the army infantry in Korea as a Corporal receiving a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. When he returned to the states he was stationed at Camp Hanford, Wash., where he met the love of his life, Evelyn Knecht, through country music they both enjoyed.

Jack entertained throughout the Columbia Basin with his band, Jack Hardy and the Potato Pickers. They married on Feb. 2, 1952 and shared 53 years together. They have three daughters, Sandra, Julianne and Wendy. They settle in Warden, where he help developed some of the land which was put into the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. In a few years he became a farmer and agricultural field representative until his retirement. He then enjoyed spending time with his family, working in his yard and doing wood working in his shop. Jack loved children and stretched his helping hand as far as he could. He coached Little League and always bought milkshakes when they lost and milkshakes and hamburgers when they won. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather.

His family was very important to him, as he was to his family and he will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughters Sandra Allred (Skip) Snohomish, Julianne Sullivan of Warden, Wendy Gilbert of Moses Lake and Bill Gilbert; grandchildren, Bart, Chad and Brandy Allred, Stephanie Reitz, Crystal Sullivan, Heather Abregana (Jason), Haliey and Brandon Gilbert; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jarad Parker, Sierrah Allred Benjamin Sullivan, Allison Abregana and Corban Reitz.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 19 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1147 Ivy Street, Moses Lake. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Warden.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building and Scholarship Fund.