Chad Lee Hardman

Chad Lee Hardman passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Frances, by his side, at the Mesa View Hospital on December 14, 2015 in Mesquite, Nevada at the age of 83 after a lengthy and valiant battle with cancer and silicosis. Chad was born November 29, 1932 in Las Vegas, NV to Earl Lee Hardman and Vera Dugdale. Chad's father worked as a high scaler during the early construction of the Hoover Dam.

Chad is survived by his loving wife Frances Baca Almanza Hardman. Chad and Frances were married February 28, 1978 and later sealed in the St. George, UT Temple in the 2000. He married Carol Richards (deceased) in 1957, divorced in 1977. He is also survived by his children (Carol Richards, mother); Patrick Califia; Diane (Chris) Stueben; Wendy (Jack) Parker; Scott (Dana) Hardman, Mark (Tina) Hardman; and Gaye (Robert) Mathusek; 17 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Chad is survived by his sister, Sharon Dugdale (Lee) Rydaich, and step-siblings; (Hardman), Fred, Wayne, Jeff, Dan, Kay, Guy, Jane, and Shirley

Chad was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Dugdale; step-father, Owen Dugdale, father, Earl Lee Hardman; brother Kent Dee Hardman; and daughter Lisa Almanza Hardman Giles.

Chad was one of the first of two young men to receive his Eagle Scout Award in Woodland, Utah. He was raised in Woodland, Utah and later moved to San Francisco, CA when his step-father took the job of working in the shipyards during World War II. His family then returned to Woodland, UT where he graduated from South Summit High School. Chad proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a AD2 jet mechanic with the Navy Air Force Transport. He was a Korean War Veteran, serving from 1952 to 1960 and earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and an Honorable Discharge. Chad was a superlative Hard Rock Mining Engineer with lifetime Blaster Permits for various states and Canada. A few of those states included Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, South Carolina, New York, Alaska, Missouri, and Nevada. He worked construction for major portions of the fiber optic network that now drives today's online networks and economy. Anyone who knew Chad loved him. He had a very friendly disposition and would regale close friends and total strangers with his wild stories from his life's adventures. He had a great work-ethic, a trait that he instilled in his children and everyone around him. Chad loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed gold mine hunting and walks in the mountains with his friends trailing his lead. He was also an expert hunter, fly fisherman, and golfer. He had a smile and a big heart that served all who knew him. After retiring he owned and operated a store in Francis, Utah. He loved children and was the candy man on the corner. He made sure all the children received a treat whenever they came to his store. Memorial services will be set at a later date in April to commemorate the life of this great man. Internment will be at the Woodland Cemetery in Woodland, Utah, when the snow has cleared. The family would like to thank everyone who has helped assist them in the care of their beloved father, grandfather and brother. They also would like to invite you to leave a memory or message on their "Guest Book" at virginvalleymortuary.com.