James "Butch" Melvin Hardison Jr.

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James Melvin “Butch” Hardison Jr. 75, passed to meet his Lord on March 21, 2024 after a long illness.

Written by Butch after his diagnosis.

He hopes he finds the Lord in a good mood…

Butch has gone to be with his daughter, Tonya Denise; his mother, Betty Jane Patton; his brother, Billy; his father, James Melvin Hardison; his maternal grandparents, Alton and Irene Piland; and his paternal grandparents, Jim and Mae Hardison.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy, who he has had many wonderful travels with in his life; his son, Dan (Dee), who has been his pride and joy; grandchildren, Kyle, Kara, Zane, and Peyton, who he bragged about to anyone who would listen; his sisters, Beth Millman (Don), and Lisa Blizzard (Ricky); and brother, Tony (Pamela).

He was the owner and operator of Hardison Heat and A/C Company until his retirement in 2007. He was a member of Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge #359 of Oriental and St. John's Lodge #3 of New Bern. He belonged to the Sudan Temple of New Bern, Pamlico Shrine Club of Grantsboro, and The York Rite Bodies. He was a member of Silver Hill Christian Church of Grantsboro, pastored by his good friend, Rex Horn.

He enjoyed drag racing for more than 40 years. He loved the time he spent with his son Dan, from riding dirt bikes in the early years, to drag racing, road racing, and car trips they took together, that time spent with his son gave him so much pleasure. He enjoyed riding his Harley and RVing with his wife all over the country, that time together and places they went made for so many good memories in his later years. He enjoyed building furniture and wood turning in his garage. He was born and raised in Oriental and loved to tell people the great times he had growing up there and the way it used to be. He made many lifelong friends growing up who he always thought of with a very warm heart.

Funeral services will be held at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home of Alliance, NC on Monday, March 25th at 11:00 a.m. Masonic graveside services by Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge will be held in Oriental Cemetery after the funeral. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge #359, PO Box 204, Oriental, NC 28571.