Kenneth Hardesty

Kenneth Legge Hardesty, 83, of Oakland died on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born on May 6, 1931 in Aurora, WV, he was the son of the late David Bushrod and Rosaline (Schrock) Hardesty. He was a graduate of West Virginia University and had attended Exeter University in England. He retired from BB&T Bank after serving as the Director of General Services in Roanoke County, VA. Prior to his time with BB&T, Ken had been a telegraph operator, B&O operator and had also taught at the West Union Military Academy. He was a devoted member of the Oak Park Church of the Brethren and had been active in both the Aurora Historical Society and the Garrett County Historical Society, for which he volunteered many hours at the Oakland museum. Ken was an active member of Rotary International both in North Carolina and Oakland, where he joined in 1997, and had been a recipient of the Paul Harris Award for Outstanding Service Above Self. He was also a member of the Ruffed Grouse Society, a member of the Wildlife Association at Horseshoe and a charter member and past president of the Little Meadows Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is survived by his loving wife, Elsie Virginia (Miller) Hardesty, to whom he was married on April 12, 2012; two children, Kristofer Hardesty and wife Christina of Terra Alta, WV and Kenlee Hardesty Huss and husband Dave of Pasadena, CA; grandchildren, Ben Taylor of Atlanta, GA, Elijah, Zebulun, Maximilian and Kristofer Hardesty of Terra Alta, WV, Leah Hardesty Harsh and husband Stanley of Eglon, WV, Dot Hardesty of Davis,WV and Lynnlee Hardesty Wotortsi and husband Edwin of Chapel Hill, NC; great grandsons, Melvin and James Harsh of Eglon, WV; a stepdaughter, Beverly Hanlin; three step grandchildren, Michael, Christen and Matthew Fanelli; and a sister, Carole Hardesty Kulas of Bluefield, VA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, of 54 years, Leona (Menke) Hardesty; a brother, David Edmund "Ed" Hardesty; and a sister, Lou Ellen Hardesty Wilkins. Friends will be received at the Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland on Wednesday, February 11th from 5 to 8 PM and at the Oak Park Church of the Brethren on Thursday, February 12th from 10 to 11 AM after which time a funeral service will be held with Pastor Carl Fike officiating. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Oak Park Church of the Brethren, 110 Church Lane, Oakland, MD 21550 or the Garrett County Humane Society, PO Box 115, Oakland, MD 21550.

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