Jerry Michael "Mike" Hardy, age 72, of Foscoe passed away Sunday November 23, 2025, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born January 30, 1953, in Watauga County. The son of the late Rex Hardy and Emma Irene Church Hardy.

Mike was a Graduate of Watauga High School Class of 1971 and proud of it. A huge Alabama Football fan and loved the color Crimson Red! A "Jack of all trades", finishing carpenter and wood worker, and in his mind, he encountered no problem that didn't have a solution. He had many lifelong friends who he enjoyed talking to on a weekly basis.

He retired from building homes in 2018 after working for Dave Shook, then himself and then Larry Norris and lived a great retired life until he decided he wanted to go back to work and found employment at the Watauga County Sanitation Foscoe Container Sight. He loved that job and the community he helped. When his earthly body started to get sick, he often worried and wondered if he'd get to return to work and see all his friends he had made there.

For the past 5 months he was cared for by his daughter and son in law, Mitzi and Douglas Mast, in their home until the time came when he was no longer needed on this earth. Our Lord knew his poor; tired soul couldn't go on any longer and he passed away peacefully and with a good death at Watauga Medical Center in the early hours of Sunday November 23.

He will be greatly missed.

Psalm 25:9: "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way ".

He is survived by one daughter Mitzi Hardy and Doug Mast of Elk Park; two sons Daniel Shook of Prescott, Arizona and Vergil Hardy of Foscoe; three brothers, Arville Hardy and wife Carolyn of Purlear; Harold Hardy and wife Kalyn of Deep Gap and Roland Hardy and wife Cathy of West Jefferson; three grandchildren Michaela Church of Charlotte; Micah Mast and Asa Mast of Elk Park.

Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 PM Wednesday November 26, 2025, at Beech Valley Baptist Church. Pastor Arville Hardy and Pastor Tim Bunten will officiate.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.