Nicholas Franklin Hardy

Nick passed away on Oct. 26th, 2013 at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, MT at age 72 with all his loved ones by his side.

Nick was born in Kendalville, Indiana on December 17th, 1940 to Flint and Marguerite Hardy. Nick attended school at Howe Military school in Fort Wayne, Indiana until completed on January 5th, 1960 he traveled to Chicago, IL and enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed his basic training in Memphis, TN and then later served from coast to coast on the USS Midway 180th Meridian and part of the fighter squadron twenty four. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. was done with his sea legs, he settled back in Indiana where he and his best friend and adopted brother, Larry Howard decided to open a mechanic shop where they built and raced ralley cars. In 1978 Nick followed Larry and his family to Good Ole Montana. Nick bought property and built a cabin with corrals and a barn outside of Paradise where he broke and raised horses and mules.

On July 21st 1985 he met and married Evelyn Kaye Palmer. They later settled in Plains where they raised their 4 kids.

In August of 1991 Nick started work at Jerry Malson outfitting school in Trout Creek, MT. Nick helped with numerous tasks at the school. Taking care of the animals, the clients and whatever else needed to be done on the ranch. Nick had an unmistakable love for the outdoors. He guided and packed all through Western Montana, including Bob Marshall and did guided fishing trips down the Clark Fork River. He himself didn’t get a lot of time to hunt, but his biggest hunting achievement was a huge moose he took in Canada and a very nice mule deer buck he got a few years ago. He enjoyed the drives in the woods he got to take looking for animals. Boy he could talk your ear off about all of his great adventures. In 2013 Nick moved to St. Regis with his daughter Katie so he could be closer to his family and friends.

Nick is proceeded in death by his mother and father, Grandma and Grandpa Hardy, Grandma and Grandpa Turner and his bestest friend/brother, Larry Howard.

Nick is survived by his kids, Joshua Hardy and wife Ashley, Katherine Hardy, Christopher McGillivray, and David Johnson and girl Sabrina, and then the apple of his eye, grandkids Izzybella Hardy, Collin McGillivray, Piper Johnson and Bryan Hardy, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Nicks service will be determined at a later date. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, loves, and phone calls. Sunset Hills Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.