Obituary: Hardgrove, John W.
He attended Lewis and Clark H. S. and graduated from U of W in ‘48 as a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity (go Huskies!).
Before finishing college Jack went to fight in WWII, enlisting as an officer in the 385th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, where he was stationed in England.
During the Korean War he was in the 307th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, stationed on Okinawa.
He was discharged as a Captain with two DFC’s.
On 30-day leave, he was met at the train station in Spokane just weeks before the wedding by his fiancĂŠe, Frances J. Smith, who had the wedding invitations in her hand ready to be mailed giving him one last chance to back out!
They were married November 30, 1951.
Jack worked 30 years for SeaFirst Bank retiring in ‘78 as Branch Manager in Oakesdale, WA.
In ‘79 he joined with Columbia Gorge Bank in Stevenson, WA, until his final retirement in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas J. and George A. Jr.
He leaves behind his wife Frances, son James and daughter Julie (Cliff Cline); grandchildren Justin, Heather and Heidi, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was an active member in the Star of the Sea parish, past treasurer of the Skamania Co. Lions Club and V.P.
of the Skamania Co.
Historical Society.
Jack died December 9, 2014 at the age of 92.
He was a wonderful Dad and husband with a great sense of humor.
Rosary Vigil is scheduled for January 15, 2015 at 6:30 p.m., Funeral Service January 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 725 Southwest Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA, 98648.
Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane, WA in the spring.
He will be greatly missed.