Fred Hardwick Jr.

Fred Hardwick Jr. was born in a small place called Mounds, Louisiana to Lucille Luster and Fred Hardwick Sr. on August 14, 1936. He grew up on the farm of his maternal grandparents where he lived with his mother (for a while) and siblings. At a very early age he became quite a hardworking farm hand. In 1955 after attending Thomastown high school he joined the Army. After serving his stint in the armed services he received an honorable discharge, shortly thereafter he relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1959, Fred met the love of his life, Willie Mae Joiner. They later married in 1977. Their union lasted for more than 50 years until they were separated by her death in 2016. He gained his bonus daughters Gloria, Sarah and Vicky from this union and over the next several years the family grew with the addition of their four other children Michael, Bernard, Felicia and Gerald. During that time, he worked on planes, cars, trucks, lawn mowers, etc. Name it and he worked on it! He was employed in the hotel industry for some 30 plus years, working as a lighting technician for shows on the Las Vegas strip such as Siegfried and Roy. He worked with the local union in stagehand management where he was a part of the birthing crew for the show Jubilee for over 20 years at the Bally’s Hotel & Casino until he retired. A provider is someone who gives others what they need. That described our father and grandfather. He gave us what we needed. Fred was known to many as a family man. He was a warm, kind, loving, compassionate man and a truly devoted father. He never closed his door to anyone who was in need. Soon after meeting him he would tell you to just call him Fred or “Poppa”. He “authored” his own “books” and if you needed clarity, he was more than willing to delve into one of his many editions and provide it for you. All authors know their materials and he knew his well. He had the key to pulling the family together. All he had to do was announce that he was throwing ribs on the grill and that his wife was making potato salad. He needed say no more, we were there! He was the BBQ man! He enjoyed spending time with all his grandchildren. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He and his brothers were their own “show.” He would banter back and forth with each other, talking “smack” and were the ultimate pranksters. They were little boys in men bodies. It was heartwarming to watch and these interactions brought him great joy. His relationship with his siblings was unique to each and he would often say, “I love all of my brothers and sisters.” He also loved shooting pool and playing bid whist. He rarely showed his legs but back in the day, you could find him bowlegged and all skating at the roller rink. A dancer he was not but he would brag about how he got down with the skates. He enjoyed spending time with all his grandchildren. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He and his brothers were their own “show.” He would banter back and forth with each other, talking “smack” and were the ultimate pranksters. They were little boys in men bodies. It was heartwarming to watch and these interactions brought him great joy. His relationship with his siblings was unique to each and he would often say, “I love all of my brothers and sisters.” He also loved shooting pool and playing bid whist. He rarely showed his legs but back in the day, you could find him bowlegged and all skating at the roller rink. A dancer he was not but he would brag about how he got down with the skates. Fred loved God and knew God for himself. There wasn’t a day or night he didn’t get on his knees and pray. He demonstrated this until he was no longer able to. He left us on September 13, 2019 surrounded by the love and support of all who were able to visit. He was preceded in death by Willie Mae Hardwick (wife) Lucille Luster Harrissa (mother) Fred Hardwick Sr. (father) (3 sisters): Josetta Hardwick, Floriece Hardwick Rucker and Barbara Hardwick. (2 brothers): Jesse Hardwick and James Lindell Harris. (1 daughter): Sarah Lowe Fred is survived by nine children, Jackie Williams of Chicago, Illinois, Gloria Forman (Ed) of Belleville, Illinois, Andre’ Love (Rosie), Judy Clark, Vickie Lowe, Michael Hardwick (Lori), Bernard Lowe, Felicia Hughes (Aundrae) and Gerald Hardwick all of Las Vegas, Nevada. Fred is also survived by twelve siblings. Gracie Hardwick-Williams (Isiah - deceased) of Pasadena, CA, W. Yvonne Harris-Clark (Matthew) of Los Angeles,CA, Sharon Harris-Riley (Edward - deceased) of Hawthorne, CA, Theodis Harris (Sheila) of Las Vegas, Theodore Hardwick of Pasadena, CA, Wynonia Harris (Patricia) of Monroe, LA, David Hardwick of Las Vegas, NV, Stanley B. Harris (Glenda) of Las Vegas, NV, Harold Hardwick (Delores/D) of Las Vegas, NV, Paul Hardwick (Brenda) of Las Vegas, NV, Donald R. Harris (Patricia) of Los Angeles, CA and Joann Hardwick-Stevens (Mark) of Las Vegas, NV Fred leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, an array of relatives and a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also leaves behind an abundance of love, a wealth of wisdom and the legacy of his strength.When someone you love becomes a memoryThat memory becomes a treasureWhat a treasure!

Fred Hardwick Jr.

August 14, 1936 - September 13, 2019