“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” General Douglas McArthur

LTC Jimmy Van Hardegree, USA (Ret.) loved God, his country, and his family. He was welcomed into heaven on October 19, 2026, in Union Parish, Louisiana, after an automobile accident.

Jim, age 80, was born in Monroe, Georgia to Ethel and Orin Hardegree. He grew up in Social Circle, Georgia, and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Social Circle High School before attending North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, where he met and fell in love with Judi. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer, United States Army, where he valiantly and selflessly served for 23 years. A decorated Vietnam ground combat veteran and graduate of The Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, his tours included both stateside and overseas assignments. Most cherished was his final assignment as Professor of Military Science at Northeast Louisiana University and Grambling State University, which brought him to Monroe, Louisiana. Upon retirement from military service, Jim utilized his master’s degree in human resource management serving as Director of Human Resources for Bancroft Bag and then E.A. Conway Medical Center.

His closing chapter was spent as a member of Quigley Hunting Club where he enjoyed years of hunting, meals, and cherished friendships.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, LTC Bob Hardegree, USA (Ret.) (Anne). He was also preceded in death by his son, Stephen Brian Hardegree.

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith C. Hardegree and daughters Melissa Hardegree Tucker (Wade) of Monroe and Melanie Hardegree Sotak (Brad) of Shreveport. His legacy lives on through his brother and sister-in-law Col (Ret.) Robert and Jeanne Ward of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Maria Hardegree of College Station, Texas; dear friends Larry and Janice McDonald of Monroe, La; his beloved grandchildren Jonathan Hardegree (Lauren) of Houston, Texas; Maddie Grace Hardegree Brown (Hunter) of New Braunfels, Texas; Jordan Walker of Monroe, Louisiana; Sydney Sotak of Lafayette, Louisiana; Wade Bridger Tucker and Cutler Branson Tucker of Monroe, Louisiana; his niece, Stephanie Ward Hester (Brent); and nephews, Wesley Hardegree (Maureen) and Robert A. Ward (Christy) and their families.

Visitation will be held at 10:00am with funeral services at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, Louisiana, with Rev. Warren Eckhardt officiating. Inurnment, with military honors, will follow at Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, or a veteran- focused organization.

“He will battle no more because he has won his war…..another soldier is coming home….”

Janet Paschal