John D. Hardesty

John D. Hardesty

“Jack”

John Douglas Hardesty, 82, of Berryville, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center, Winchester, Virginia.

Known to many young people as “Gramps”, Mr. Hardesty was born January 14, 1932 in Winchester, Virginia, son of the late John O. Hardesty and Mary Ridgeway Hardesty.

He was a past chairman of the Administrative Board for Crums United Methodist Church and was a member of Burnt Factory United Methodist Church.

Jack was a dairy farmer who founded Harvue Farms in 1949 with his father, John. He was a member of many agriculture organizations which include past president of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative.; past president of Virginia Holstein Association; National Holstein Association; Virginia Agribusiness Council; past president of Mid-Atlantic Milk Marketing Association; past president of Virginia State Dairyman’s Association; Atlantic Rural Exposition, Inc.; Pennmarva Dairyman’s Federation; Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumers Services serving under Governors Baliles and Wilder; Virginia Purebred Dairy Cattle Association; Virginia Farm Bureau and Clarke-Frederick DHIA.

He was a member of Clarke County Board of Supervisors for 30 years and serving as Chairman for 16 of those years; Clarke County Campaign for Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. serving as Chairman for 6 years; Local Government Advisory Council Member, Governors Godwin, Dalton and Robb; original member of Lord Fairfax Planning District Commission and was a member for 10 years serving as Chairman for 2 years; Northern Virginia Regional 4-H Center, Clarke County fundraising Chairman; past president of Clarke County Ruritan Club and member for 45 years; Clarke County Democratic Committee and served 43 years on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Clarke County serving as Chairman for 18 of those years.

In 1955 Jack was named the Outstanding Young Farmer for the Northern District and State of Virginia; 1963 Jaycee Distinguished Service Award; 1980 Outstanding Cooperator for Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District; 1985 Virginia Dairy Industry Achievement Award Winner; 1986 Virginia Distinguished Dairyman; 1987 Clarke County Citizen of the Year; 1992 World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year and 2014 Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, Citizen of the Year.

He married Carter Conley Hardesty on October 3, 1953 in White Post, Virginia. Mrs. Hardesty died October 14, 2003.

Surviving are his two sons, John D. “Johnny” Hardesty, Jr. and his wife, Irene and David M. Hardesty and his wife, Debra all of Berryville, VA; six grandchildren, John Douglas Hardesty III and his fiancée, Emily Levi, Catherine Elizabeth Hardesty, Daniel Meade Hardesty and his wife, Mary, Matthew Clayton Hardesty and his fiancée, Ashley Elgin, Leslie Hardesty Kerr and her husband, Cody and David Meade Hardesty, Jr.; two step-grandchildren, Soli Perez and Catalina Perez; two great-grandchildren, Henry Lee Hardesty and Heidi Carter Hardesty; best friend and companion, Daisy McDonald; sister, Ann Hudson and her husband, Louis, of Berryville, VA; and a sister-in-law, Fritzie Conley Carper of White Post, VA.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 A. M. Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, Berryville, with Rev. Steve Melester and Rev. Bill Jones officiating. Burial will be private.

Pallbearers will be Doug Hardesty, Danny Hardesty, Matt Hardesty, Cody Kerr, Davey Hardesty and Ralph Orndorff.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 P. M. and 6:00 – 9:00 P. M. Monday at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home, Berryville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burnt Factory United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 399, Stephenson, VA 22656.

To view the obituary and send condolences online, please visit www.endersandshirley.com.