Mr. Michael Carlton Hardy was the son of Carlton Fay Hardy and Laurel Brenda Hardy Cochran, and stepson of James Charles Cochran.
He was born in Okeechobee, Fla., Oct. 19, 1963, and passed away from cancer in Chattanooga, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, after an extended illness. He was a member of River Hill Baptist Church and worked in construction for Marlin Brackett.
He was proud to serve in the United States Navy. He attended basic training in Orlando, Fla., A school in Memphis, Tenn., C school in Oceana and was based for two years in Key West, Fla. He sailed on the USS Saratoga (CV59) and the USS Forrestal (CV60). His job was AME: Aviation Structural Mechanical-Egress and Environmental. He worked on ejection seats, cockpits and oxygen/air pressurization systems. Michael’s squadron was the last to work on F4 Phantoms in Key West. He also worked on A4 Skyhawks and A7 Intruders.
In 1984, he graduated Air Crew Candidates School in Pensacola, Fla. He said that during shore duty, he “did not use a fork or a spoon for a year,” while he was in the Orient-Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo Bay and Cuba.
He is preceded in death by father, Carlton; and niece, Mia Prather.
He is survived by mother Brenda; stepfather, Jimmy; brothers-in-law and sisters, Scott and Hollyanna White; Carla Johnson; Adam and Kelly Prather.
He was proud to be the fun uncle of many nieces and nephews, Jennifer Babb, Johnathon White, Britani Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Micah Prather, Madison White, Calen Babb, Luke White, Ridge Prather and Carter Babb.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. at the Logan Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Cantrell officiating.
He was laid to rest at Scrougetown Community Church Cemetery.
Condolences can be made at www.loganfuenralhome.com.
Logan Funeral Home & Chapel was in charge of arrangements.