Dr. John Brown Hardin
Dr. John Brown Hardin, age 98, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Vernon,
Texas.
A private family interment was held on Friday, May 1, 2026, with Pastor Dave Treat
o൶ ciating. A memorial service was held at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the First
Presbyterian Church with Pastor George Records and Dr. Ike Butterworth o൶ ciating.
John Brown Hardin, Jr. was born November 19, 1927, in Vernon, Texas to the late
Velma (Putman) and John Brown Hardin, Sr. He married Reva Mae Hackney on June
2, 1954. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2010.
“Doc” graduated Vernon High School in 1945 and attended the University of Texas
where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. While at UT, he pledged Phi
Kappa Psi fraternity, played drums in the Longhorn Band and lettered on the Fencing
team. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas Medical School in
Galveston, where he pledged Phi Chi medical fraternity, played drums in a medical
school combo, and was a member of the Osteon Interfraternity. While in medical
school, he met Reva Mae Hackney, a student at the University of Texas School of
Nursing. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in June of 1954. He and his wife moved to San Antonio where
he started his internship at Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital. After completing his internship, Hardin served a tour
of duty in the U.S. Air Force and received his À ight surgeon training and wings at Randolph Air Force Base. He was
transferred to Stewart Air Force Base at the Eastern Air Command in Newburgh, New York, where he was promoted
to Captain and served as a À ight surgeon logging his À ight time in T-33 jet aircraft.
After his discharge, Doc moved back to Vernon in 1957 with his wife, son, and daughter to continue in his career
practice of 50 years which included 48 years in the same o൶ ce at 209 Herring Bank Building in Vernon, Texas.
Doc loved his hometown of Vernon and was deeply involved with the community. He was a member of First
Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder and Trustee. He established the Pizza Point restaurant. He enjoyed
being the team physician for the Vernon Lion football squad for 15 years. He served as Vernon College physician.
He was a past member of the Lions Club, Random Club, Santa Rosa Palomino Club and director of Community
Concert Association. He loved the Rotary Club where he served as president and board member. In 2012, he earned
the coveted Paul Harris Fellow award. He was a (Master) 32nd degree Mason and member of the Masonic Lodge,
Shriners, and Jesters.
He served Vernon as county health o൶ cer and later as city health o൶ cer. Doc was an advisor for the Tuberculosis
Association, March of Dimes, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. He served as president of
the Wilbarger County Medical Society, president of the Wilbarger General Hospital sta൵ and for 20 years he was also
the medical director there. Dr. Hardin retired from family practice in December of 2005.
He loved entertaining friends with his endless jokes and storytelling. He enjoyed lifelong hobbies of hunting and
¿ shing and attending his children and grandchildren’s many activities, especially VHS varsity tennis matches while
all 5 grandchildren played on the team.
John B. Hardin, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Reva, and son, John B. Hardin, III on June 15,
2022. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Hardin Bond and husband Dan, 5 grandchildren: Jennifer Kute and
husband Josh of Lubbock: Natalie Bloomingdale and husband James of Dallas; John B. Hardin, IV and wife Annabel
of Fort Worth; Meredith McCord and husband Matthew of Midland; and Blaine Bond and wife Meredith of Dallas as
well as 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
In lieu of À owers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.
