Ralph William Hardman, age 87, passed away in his home from complications due to heart failure on Monday, May 1, 2023. He was born in Murray, Utah on January 21, 1936, the second of eight children of Davis “Dee” and Alta Mae “Patsy” (Hatt) Hardman. To some, he was “Sundown”. To others, he was “Ralphie”. But his grandkids called him, “Grumpy”, a moniker equally honest yet affectionate. He was known for his work ethic, his tough but fair attitude, and his sometimes stern demeanor.
Ralph grew up in Lehi and graduated from Lehi High School in 1954 and studied mechanical engineering at BYU. He also proudly served in the Utah National Guard in the 1457th Engineer Battalion.
He married Sharon “Tootsie” Henline on March 25, 1960. They were later sealed in the LDS Manti Temple on October 10, 2009. Ralph and Sharon settled in Price, Utah where they raised their four sons and served in the community for over 50 years.
During that time, his work for Savage Brothers, HE Lowdermilk, Carbon County, TN Jensen and others, along with his civic and church service, afforded him many wonderful associations and friendships.
As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ralph served in a variety of capacities, but one of his favorites was with the Boy Scouts of America. He received the Silver Beaver award for his years of dedication to the scouting program.
Later in life, he enjoyed gardening. Beets, potatoes and tomatoes were his specialty. Another passion, little known, was dancing. Ralph enjoyed square dancing with his sweetheart early in their marriage and picked up line dancing after she had passed. Apparently, he had quite the moves.
Ralph was also an award-winning woodworker. His house was filled with furniture he built and countless people were recipients of one of his nutcrackers, jewelry boxes, or turned bowls.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Hardman; parents, Dee and Patsy Hardman; brothers, Bob Hardman, Wayne Hardman, and Blayne Hardman; and sister, Daryhl Spencer.
He leaves behind his four sons, Scot of Price, UT, Brad (Jerri) of Monroe, WA, Craig (Carmen) of St. Cloud, FL, and Steve (Tiffany) of Bluffdale, UT; his thirteen grandchildren, Brandie, Broc, Brinley, Koriann, Matthew, Noah, James, Charlie, Jacob, Abby, Sarah, Shelby, and Lily.
Funeral service, Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Price Third Ward Chapel (303 West 500 South) in Price. His family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price, and Saturday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Price Cliffview Cemetery following the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where family and friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Ralph online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.