Berkley Goal "Buck" Hardee, Sr.

Mr. Berkley Goal Hardee, Sr., passed away February 16, 2015 at Hospice House of Randolph County. He was born June 26, 1924 in Loris, S.C. to John Goal Hardee and Zellie V. Gilmore. He was the fourth of nine children. After graduating from high school in 1942, Mr. Hardee worked at the Wilmington Shipyard. He left the Shipyard in 1943 so he could join the U.S. Army to fight for our country in World War II. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, received training to become a gunner, and eventually received rank as a Corporal. He served in Company C of the 712th Tank Battalion of General George Patton's 90th Infantry Division and earned a Purple Heart. He attended his battalion's reunions for many years and was honored to have participated in the "Flight of Honor" to Washington, D.C. sponsored by the Asheboro Rotary Club. He married JoNita Gore from Conway, S.C. in 1948. He and JoNita moved from South Carolina to Asheboro in 1953 when Mr. Hardee became manager of Eagles Store on Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. He remained with Eagles until 1978 when he and his wife bought and operated Melvin's Variety Store in Randleman. Although he retired in 1990, he continued to have a frequent presence in the store assisting customers and greeting everyone with his warm smile and sense of humor. Following his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed travelling with friends throughout the U.S. and back to Europe where he fought in World War II. Mr. Hardee was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheboro. While managing the Eagles Store, he was actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Civitan Club, and Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed being an active and contributing member of his community. He had a strong love for Randolph County and its people. Mr. Hardee was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, JoNita Gore Hardee; his brother, Lloyd Hardee of Loris, S.C.; his sister , Alberta Brinson of Loris, S.C.; his sister Catherine Cox of North Augusta, Ga.; his sister, Margaret Jacobs of Charleston, S.C.; and two infant brothers, Bertie and Durham Hardee. He is survived by his sisters, Beatrice Todd of Loris, S.C. and Marie Harrell and husband, Clinton, of Suffolk, Va. In addition, he is survived by his four children and their families: Marsha Robson of Murrell's Inlet, S.C.; Dianne Hoffman and husband, Edward of Raleigh, N.C.; Berkley G. "Butch" Hardee, Jr. and wife, Brenda of Asheboro; Jori Jones and husband, Philip of Pleasant Garden, N.C. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Yanna Robson Higgins and husband, John, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ian Robson and wife, April of Charlotte,NC; Alec Robson of Seattle, Wa.; Kristen Hoffman and fiancé, Steve Lehrer of Raleigh, N.C.; Lauren Hoffman Panameño and husband, Carlos of Raleigh, N.C.; Edward Hoffman, III and wife, Shannon, of Raleigh, N.C.; Berkley G. "Brad" Hardee III and wife, Christy, of New London, NC; Ashley Terry Peterson and husband, Brian of Somerset, N.J.; Aaron Hardee and fiancé, Brandy Tarrant, of New London, N.C.; Adam Jones and fiancé, Natalie Martinez of Miami, Florida; and Samuel Jones and wife, Kelly, of Fort Richardson, Alaska. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the Durham VA Medical Center, Universal Healthcare in Ramseur, Randolph Hospital, Hospice of Randolph County, and Johnnie Anderson for their exceptional care for Mr. Hardee. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to Ms. Carletta Hurley for having been a dear friend to their Dad and the family during the past several years. The Funeral service will be Noon, Saturday, February 21, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Asheboro with Dr. John Rogers and Dr. Scotty Carpenter officiating. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary prior to the service from 10:30 AM until Noon. Burial will be at Randolph Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are provided by Pugh Funeral Home of Asheboro. Memorials may be made to Hospice, First Baptist Church of Asheboro, or charity of donor's choice.