Don Hardin Obituary

Don Hardin, 88, of Morehead passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Hardin was born May 20, 1937, in Cogswell in Rowan County, Kentucky. He was the son of Dorsie Ray Hardin, Sr., and Zona Taylor McKenzie Hardin. He was preceded in death by his Father, Dorsie, and Mother, Zona. Along with all four of his brothers, Philemon (Margena), Melvin "Frosty" (Emma Jean), Wilbur (Violet), and Dorsey Jr. (Jackie).

Don is survived by his wife Patty Hardin of 62 years, daughter Teresa (Steve) Roberts, grandchildren Kaitlin, Taylor (Kelsey), Corie (Jon) and his first great-granddaughter who will arrive in September; many nieces and nephews, and many others who were considered family.

He graduated from Morehead High School in 1956 with scholarships in baseball and basketball (Lipscomb and Georgetown). He decided to stay home instead, graduating from Morehead State University with a degree in education.

A man of many talents and interests, he taught Physical Education at Flemingsburg Elementary School for 46 years, retiring in 2012. In 2010 the elementary gymnasium was named after him. During his time there, he coached football at Fleming County High School for 28 years as defensive coordinator.

He was a decorated baseball umpire, spending one year in professional baseball in the Carolinas League and many years working college baseball in the SEC, OVC and KIAC. He worked numerous Kentucky High School State Tournaments as well as innumerable youth and age-group tournaments. He was recruited to umpire by an MLB scout who noticed his skills and knowledge for the game. He is still one of the only umpires to ever make it to the pros without going to umpiring school. Along with umpiring he worked as a major league scout for the Pittsburg Pirates and LA Dodgers during his career.

A long-time 16th Region basketball official, he spent the better part of three decades patrolling basketball courts in the area; becoming a fixture in the post-season and high-impact games in the region. In addition to his multiple state tournaments on the baseball field, he also officiated a state basketball tournament in Freedom Hall in Louisville. In 2017 he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Northeastern Kentucky Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame.

He is probably best known as the man who started the Morehead American Legion Post 126 baseball team in 1968 and ran through the summer of 1992. His 1977 Legion team won the state championship, earning them a spot in the Great Lakes Regional Eastern Divisional Sectional tournament. His record over the 25 seasons was 1,021-347-9.

He coached future Major League players Johnnie LeMaster, Joe Magrane and Willie Blair, to name a few. Former player Sam Holbrook was a Major League umpire for over 20 seasons. In all, the Post 126 program sent 26 players to professional baseball. The Post 126 program had over 125 players advance to play collegiate baseball: over 40 on the Division I level.

During this time, he also started an after-school gymnastics program in Fleming County that led to his opening of Gym Dandy's Gymnastics in Morehead, in 1993, serving budding gymnasts and cheerleaders in several surrounding counties. Gym Dandy's has had multiple National Champions and Junior Olympians and countless state champions throughout the years. Gym Dandy's is now working on their second generation of young athletes in the region.

He was also instrumental in building the infrastructure for Morehead's Recreational foundation, leading the construction and managing the Morehead City Park for some 20 years, which includes Don Hardin Legion Field. He also led the construction of the Morehead-Rowan County Zane Collins Community Park on Flemingsburg Road. These two projects provided recreational and athletic opportunities for three generations of our community that continue to the present. He also helped build fields around Kentucky and the surrounding states including West Virginia.

Despite all of his accomplishments, Don remained a humble family man. His greatest joy was his family, and he never missed a special occasion or event for his three grandchildren. He gave to them generously, always with love and without hesitation. He loved everyone around him genuinely and selflessly. Don had a way of making every person feel special, seen, and valued. His kindness was quiet but powerful, and his love knew no bounds. Whether you were family, friend, or stranger, Don welcomed you with open arms and treated you like his own.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the Fleming County High School Gymnasium, 1658 Elizaville Road, Flemingsburg, KY 41041. Burial will follow at the New Alfrey Cemetery in Morehead. Pallbearers will be Taylor Roberts, Steve Roberts, Steve Crail, Dean Hardin, Mickey Hardin, Jeff Hardin, Howard Goldberg, Trent Demoss, Delmas Ferguson, Todd Pratt, Sam Holbrook and Jimmy McKinney.

The family strongly requests in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to one of the following:

Fleming County High School Athletics, c/o Bill Spencer, 1458 Elizaville Road, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 - Memo "Don Hardin Memorial Donation"

Rowan County Senior High School Athletics, c/o Michael Ritchie,499 Viking Drive, Morehead, KY 40351 - Memo "Don Hardin Memorial Donation"

STAR of Rowan County, P.O. Box 454, Morehead, KY 40351 - [email protected] (606)776-8789

Tri-County Animal Shelter, 2450 Ky Highway 519, Clearfield, KY 40313 - [email protected] (606) 784-4930

Lexington Humane Society, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504 - (859) 233-0044

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