Jimmy L Hardin was the only child of FA Hardin and Betty (Grace) Hardin. He was born in Jasper, Alabama, on February 5, 1947. They were an Army family, and Jim’s early years were spent in Germany where his father was stationed. After graduating from Bel Air High School in El Paso , TX, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army. He graduated from flight school at Ft. Walters in 1967. His fight training continued at Ft Rucker, Ft Eustis and Hunter Air Field. He was deployed to Vietnam Nam in 1970 where he was a member of the 1/1 D Troupe where he was an Apache pilot. His service there earned him several citations and medals including a Silver Star. While serving in the military he was exposed to Agent Orange and burn pit smoke which affected his health for the remainder of his life. He left the Army to join the Border Patrol in 1974. He returned to the Army in 1987 and deployed to Desert Storm (Gulf War). He retired from the Army with the rank of CW5.

Jim rejoined the Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, as an instructor pilot where he trained pilots to do the intricate maneuvers required for mountainous terrain and insertion of fast rope agents at Border Patrol stations all over the United States. As one pilot recalled that better than making us better pilots, he taught us how to crash. He went on to say that Jim’s training saved hundreds of lives. After a nineteen year stent with the Border Patrol, Jim retired to Atoka, Oklahoma, to be a beekeeper and enjoy woodworking and fishing. He was an active member of Atoka First Methodist Church and as a Master Mason, a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge.

Jim had quite a sense of humor and loved to pull practical jokes on all of us-even the dogs.

He was a true patriot and believed in God and Country. He loved his family and provided guidance through his frequent “good citizenship” reminders that often showed up on notes left on the refrigerator or the mirror in your bathroom. A good example was the note in the bathroom reading, “A good citizen doesn’t squeeze toothpaste from the middle of the tube.”

Or, ‘A good citizen doesn’t need to be reminded to take out the trash.” Jim was a talented woodworker who contributed beautiful wood puzzles, boxes. and candleholders to the Christmas in July craft sale and the Christmas craft show in November. His woodworking skills were precise and family members were often the recipient of his beautiful work.

Jim is survived by his wife Paula of the home, daughters Courtney Keyes of Durant, Todd Keyes of Durant and Hilary Ananiadis and husband Tim of Combine, Texas.

Sister-in-law Debbie Davenport of Mead, Oklahoma. Grandsons Trey and Zachary Keyes, and great granddaughter Valerie Keyes, cousin Carol Wisenhut and her husband Mike of Jasper, Alabama, along with many friends from the Border Patrol and the Army.

Pall bearers Trey Keyes, Zachary Keyes, Tim Ananiadis, Charles Bonner, Marco Salinas, Apollo Johnson.

SERVICES: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 10:00 AM PLACE OF SERVICES: Methodist Church of Atoka OFFICIATING: Rev. Daniel Ramey INTERMENT: New Zion Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: [email protected]. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BROWN’S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK