John Arch Hardaway, 84, passed away on March 3, 2022 at his home in Leavenworth, KS. John was born to Nina and Carl Hardaway at his grandmother’s home in rural, northern Louisiana. The family moved to west Texas in 1943. John graduated from high school in Seminole, TX. He attended New Mexico Military Institute from 1955-1956 and graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX in 1959.
John was married to Virginia Ross Pope in August, 1959 in Memphis, TN. From that union came son Carl Hardaway and daughter Julie Irene Hardaway (Galea). John was commissioned in the U.S. Army and entered active duty in October, 1959. He served 28 years, retiring in 1987 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then worked at the National Simulation Center until retiring in 1998 as Director of Operations.
During his active duty, John served overseas in Okinawa and South Korea, twice in Vietnam and a year in Laos. His proudest accomplishment, however, was the thirteen plus years he served at the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. The last eight years he was tenured there was as Chief, of Office of Curriculum Affairs.
John was an active Christian at various military chapels and the First United Methodist Church of Leavenworth. He was also a Gideon for many years and started and participated in a Bible study program at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth for 28 years.
John is survived by his wife, Virginia, son Carl, daughter Julie, grandsons Will Hardaway, Evan Hardaway and Jonathan Galea, grand daughter in-law Cortney Hardaway and great granddaughter Riley Hardaway.
Visitation will be held at Davis Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 11 A.M. at Davis Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church of Leavenworth, Gideons International or the Parkinson’s Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left on John’s online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.