John Terry Hardman

“I was born to be a farmer…
It is what I know and what I love.
It’s overlooking a field and hearing the sound of the newest born calf, bawling for its Momma;
It’s overlooking the beauty of the Earth, the vastness of a new mown field;
It’s having great faith as the sky opens up right at that moment when rains need to stop;
It’s keeping up with technology, realizing it’s a sheer necessity; but remembering the fond memories and great admiration of how Dad and Grandpa did things;
It’s a partnership with the great Lord Almighty!
Without Him, my work could not be done! His guidance guides me through each day, season, storms, and drought…the highs and lows.
…But, now I rest from my labor!

John Terry Hardman, 76, of Horner, went home to be with Jesus and ended his labor here on Earth, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at St. Joseph Hospital in Buckhannon. His wife, Helen Lough Hardman, his lifetime partner of 54 years was close at his side.

Terry was born on September 6, 1945, the son of the late Ozzel M. Hardman and Dollie Frymyer Hardman.

On September 2, 1967, Terry married the only love of his life, Helen Lucille Lough, the daughter of the late Frank and Maxine Frazier Lough. Together, Terry and Helen worked a successful business, farmed 400 acres, and shared 54 years of a Christian marriage.

Terry and Helen were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Sherri and Shelly. They shared in the farming life by their parent’s side, and Terry was beyond proud of them when they showed his feeder calves in 4-H for 15 years. Terry’s two daughters were his “pride and joy” and often referred to them as his “little dishwashers.”

Terry has five grandchildren; Ryan Christopher Jackson, married to Kim Pollard Jackson, Morgan Jackson Pitts, married to Josiah Pitts, and Aaron Nicholas Jackson are the children of Sherri and Darren Jackson. Jonathan Alexander “Alex” Kraus and Emily Michelle Kraus are the children of the late Shelly and Lee Kraus. His grandchildren were his “joy overload” and he was proud of each of them.
Just as Terry was acutely aware of the two empty spots at the family table, he was blessed with three great-grandchildren; Abigail and Anna June Pitts and Elias Jackson.

Terry’s love for agriculture and hardworking ethics will be remembered by his brother, Richard Lee Hardman and the late Raetta Jewell Hardman; by his nieces and nephews; Tammie, Todd, Kevin, Robin, Julie and Dennis.

Terry was preceded in death by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Evelyn Queen and remembered by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Nelson and Joyce Lough, and several nieces and nephews: Debbie, John, Cathy, Pete, Donnie, Kandy, Rena, Matt, Lisa, Mark, the late Glenn, Debbie, Stanley, and Sarah. He has a multitude of great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews that he loved on both sides of the family.

Terry graduated from Weston High School in 1963. He attended three years at WVU studying Veterinary Science. His attendance was interrupted by service to his country through the National Guard during the Vietnam War.

In 1967, he and Helen decided to continue his career at Vandalia, maintaining a 400-acre farm. He was in right-of-way maintenance over four states and provided services for the following companies for 50 years: Eastern Pipeline, Dominion Energy Transmission, Eastern America, Appalachian Midstream Services, Chesapeake Energy, and Saint Gobain.

Terry worked for the WV Department of Agriculture doing brush-hogging and built fencing at Huttonsville and Prunytown. Many farmers sought his expertise to customize their farm buildings. He provided personal quotes for a full service customization. He worked for the USDA-NRCS programs and completed many conservation plans with them for several years. He was a sincere steward of land.

Terry was a dealer for the national company, Tarter, for 50 years. He was the last individual seller and a top sales performer in West Virginia. He built customized fencing for local farmers, as well as brush-hogging their farms. His daily focus was his cow/calf operation and maintaining 400 acres.

When he was just 16, he received the Farming for Better Living Award. In 2002, he received the Lewis County Farm Award from the West Fork Soil Conservation, the WV Farmer Contestant, the Outstanding Farmer Award for Lewis County, and, in 2015, the Century Farm Award.

Terry was a member of the Lewis County Farm Bureau since 1979, and a board member for over 15 years. He was a board member of the Livestock Association and a member of the National Cattleman’s Association for 15 years. He also belonged to the State and National Angus Association for 37 years.

His hobbies included going to the races and camping with his family. Terry enjoyed being on the farm and giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren rides on the side-by-side and tractor.

Terry faithfully attended the Way of Holiness Church enjoying the ministry of Pastor Jerry. He loved to go to Horizons Church to listen to his daughter, Shelly and granddaughter, Emily sing, and enjoyed the ministry of his grandson-in-law, Josiah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WV Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Science Lab at 62 Farm Bureau Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201 or to the Way of Holiness Church at 2337 Old Weston Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201.

Family and friends will be received at Hardman Family Funeral Home 730 N. Main Avenue of Weston on Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 12PM-4PM. The funeral service will begin at 4PM from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jerry Murrell officiating. Interment will follow services at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with full Military Honors presented by the United States Army and the Lewis County Honor Guard. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Terry may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of John Terry Hardman.