Eben Hardie, Jr

Mr. Eben Hardie, Jr. of Cumming, GA died suddenly on April 23, 2010 while doing something he loved; playing tennis. Eben, also known as Dad and Papa to his children and grandchildren, was born February 20, 1933 in New Orleans. He attended Princeton University, where he graduated in 1954. One of his early passions was flying, and he took pride that he used to fly himself up to Princeton from New Orleans all through college. After college, he entered the training program at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith, where he worked for 49 years, interrupted only by 2 years as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army where he commanded a NIKE Battery. He retired from Merrill Lynch in 2004 and has enjoyed traveling with his wife, Linda, playing tennis, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and playing with his pets, Betty and Ethel. Eben was married twice and had 5 children before marrying Linda Hughes Pruitt in 1983 at Big Canoe, Georgia. They lived in New Orleans and Pass Christian, Mississippi prior to Hurricane Katrina and then Cumming, Georgia and Perdido Key, Florida. Eben gave generously of his time and money to a number of philanthropic endeavors. He served the New Orleans YMCA and Dillard University for over 35 years as a Board Member. He was also on the Boards of the Flint Goodrich Hospital and United Way of New Orleans plus numerous other New Orleans charities. Eben was a member of the Boston Club, the Louisiana Club, the Stratford Club and New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, as well as numerous Carnival organizations in New Orleans. He was a member of the Pass Christian Yacht Club and the Senior Mens Tennis Game in Forsyth Central Park. He attended Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church. Eben and Linda have traveled extensively prior to and since retirement. They visited every continent but Antarctica, seeing the world with friends and family. Their last trip together was to Belize earlier this month. Eben also enjoyed his involvement with the Thornhill Foundation, which was created to celebrate offspring of John Hardie who immigrated to the US in 1837. He served on the board for 35 years and was the current President. As was a theme throughout the last 30 years, Eben and Linda used Thornhill as another opportunity to travel, visiting Paris, Scotland, Destin, New Orleans, Talladega AL, El Paso and Baltimore. Eben had a large family who will greatly miss him. He is survived by his wife, Linda; mother, Ruth Miller Hardie of New Orleans, LA and Charlottesville, VA; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Walter Wadlington, 5 children and their spouses, Eben III and Mimi Hardie of Atlanta, GA, Marion and Bill Mathes of Charleston, SC, Scott and Jennifer Hardie of New Orleans, LA, Chris and Darlene Hardie of Atlanta, GA, Lydia and Gary Belfield of New Orleans, LA; step-daughter, Jill Denlea and her husband, Colin of Cumming, GA; grandchildren, Sarah, Kacy, Bella, William, Emily, Anna, Will, Christopher, Michael, Sophia, Katie and Liam and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church in Cumming, GA with Rev. John Martin officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Another service will be held on Monday, May 3, 2010 in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the YMCA of Greater New Orleans, The Eben Hardie Endowed Professor Chair of Dillard University, New Orleans or to the Forsyth County Humane Society. Ingram Funeral Home Crematory, Cumming, GA is in charge of the arrangements.