Crawford Hardy

Crawford Hardy

1929~2022

Lehi, Utah—Crawford Ray Hardy, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away at age 92 on February 26, 2022 in Lehi, Utah. He was born on September 25, 1929, to Ernest Verender Hardy, Jr. and Ingri Jolley Stringham Hardy in Delta, Utah. He is the youngest of eight children and grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ray served in the National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he served during the Korean War as the bodyguard and personal secretary to the General of Strategic Air Command, based out of French Morocco and Puerto Rico. Ray was an expert stenographer with amazing typing and shorthand skills. He also had excellent marksmanship. He was a member of the Air Force Diving team and impressed his family over the years with his somersaults and fancy dives. Prior to the Air Force, Ray also competed in couple's dance roller skating! After the Air Force, Ray attended the University of Utah where he received his Bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1958, followed by a Master's degree in Business Administration.

In 1960, Ray's next adventure took him to Los Angeles, California to work for Arthur Young & Co., a prominent accounting firm, becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Ray Hardy then met Rae Hardy, also from Utah, who became the love of his life. On May 20, 1960, Ray and Raema were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ray then spent most of the next 55 years living in San Gabriel, California.

Ray's career in finance expanded as he moved into hospital financial management with the Lutheran Hospital Society and Pacific Health Resources. He rose to become Senior Vice President and Treasurer over the hospital group, managing over a dozen large hospitals in Southern California. He was the recipient of numerous awards and held a number of leadership positions in professional accountancy and hospital financial management organizations.

Ray's hobbies included building model trains and planes, which he did with great precision. He even built a second story onto their home in San Gabriel! He enjoyed photography, and at one point considered becoming a professional photographer. He also had a great knowledge of classic cars and military aircraft. He loved music, especially classical and big band.

Ray enjoyed watching sports - golf, tennis, baseball, and especially football. He was a devoted University of Utah fan, which made for an interesting football season and friendly rivalry with the BYU fans in his family. Ray also loved to play golf, even playing at the Don Sutton Celebrity Golf Invitational.

Ray was a faithful member of the church, held many callings, and especially enjoyed working with the Young Men and the Sunday School. Ray was devoted to his family and was always there to help when needed. He loved his grandchildren and always had lots of fun with them. He enjoyed long car trips with his family, seeing the country and collecting souvenirs. In 2020, Ray and Raema celebrated 60 wonderful years together!

He is survived by his daughter with Raema Hardy: Leslie Renee (Dirk) Giles, and two grandchildren, Corwyn Giles and Devyn Giles. He is also survived by his daughter with DixieLee Grewell: Patricia Rae Brownfield, and two grandchildren, Tom (Natalie) Daniels and Brandon Daniels. He is also survived by his two sons with Anna Mae Bowman: Ray Scott Swaner and Steven Lamar (Cindy) Swaner, and six grandchildren, Alysia (Bryan) Kathol, Wendy (Joey Kakacek) Swaner, Andrew (Ariela) Swaner, Jeff (Jamie) Swaner, Brian (Michelle) Swaner, and Jennifer Swaner. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Raema Hardy, his previous spouses, his parents, five brothers, two sisters, and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 1:00p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hillcrest 1st Ward Chapel, 949 North 540 West, American Fork, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, March 4, 2022 from 6:00-8:00p.m. and on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the same church location from 11:45a.m. - 12:45p.m. Following the funeral, graveside services with military honors will be held in the Lehi City Cemetery, Lehi, UT. Please share a memory on Crawford's tribute wall.

If you'd like to attend the service via live stream, please click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87984038749