PULASKI, Tenn. – It is with a heavy heart that the Martin Methodist Athletic Department mourns the passing of legendary coach, administrator and Sports Hall of Fame member Joe Hardin. Hardin passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the age of 90.
Martin served as the Martin Methodist Athletic Director from 1986-1996, guiding the department through a challenging transition from a junior college to four-year institution status. Hardin spearheaded the efforts to land Martin Methodist in the NAIA and the TranSouth Athletic Conference.
Additionally, Martin served as head coach of the Men's Basketball and Men's Golf programs during this period.
For his dedication to Martin Methodist athletics, Hardin was inducted into the MMC Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
In 2017, Martin Methodist formally dedicated the basketball court to Hardin, thereby declaring the playing surface Joe Hardin Court.
"There are many reasons, other than the naming of our basketball court, why Joe Hardin's name will have a long positive legacy at Martin Methodist College," RedHawks Executive Director of Athletics said. "He was a great coach, administrator, friend, mentor, and ambassador to hundreds of people. He will be sorely missed, but definitely not forgotten."
Obituary
Joseph Clay Hardin of Pulaski TN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the age of 90. He was born in Sevierville, TN on December 12, 1929. Coach Hardin, as many knew him, was a retired teacher, principal, and coach. He graduated from Carson Newman with a Bachelor's degree and received a Master's +45 from Peabody at Vanderbilt University. After he served in the Air Force, he began his teaching career at George Wythe HS in Wytheville, VA. Upon moving to Pulaski, he served as football/basketball coach and principal of GCHS, athletic director and basketball coach at Martin Methodist College and men's basketball coach at Athens State College. Coach Hardin was inducted into the Sevierville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Martin Methodist College Athletic Hall of Fame, and TSSAA Hall of fame. Coach Hardin will always be remembered for his service to the community and the students he impacted.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice.
Proceeded in death by his parents, Sanders Hardin and Edith McConkey Hardin and his wives, Martha Judd McMahon Woods Hardin and Mary Dolores Cathcart Townsend Hardin, brother Jack Hardin, and Sisters Nita Bowling and Margaretta Clayton. Survived by, son Scott (Susan) Hardin of Brentwood, son, Steve (Anissa) Woods of Houston, TX, son, Bobby Townsend of Pulaski, daughter, Cathy (Barry) Laxson of Pulaski and 12 grandchildren, Tatum Hardin, Fate Hardin, Sanders Hardin, Jack Woods, Allie Woods, Megan Smith, Jackson (Cara Paige) Townsend, Parker Townsend, Morgan Townsend, Whitt Laxson, Meredith Garvin, Courtney Fay, and 4 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation at Bennett-May & Peirce Funeral Home Saturday, August 1, 2020, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Respectfully we ask people to maintain movement in the visitation line and refrain from physical contact.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 3:30pm at Maplewood Cemetery.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements for Joseph Clay Hardin.
