Dr. John Brown Hardin, age 98, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Vernon, Texas.

A private family interment will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, with Pastor Dave Treat officiating. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor George Records and Dr. Ike Butterworth officiating.

John Brown Hardin, Jr. was born November 19, 1927, in Vernon, Texas to the late Velma (Putman) and John Brown Hardin, Sr. He married Reva Mae Hackney on June 2, 1954. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2010.

“Doc” graduated Vernon High School in 1945 and attended the University of Texas where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. While at UT, he pledged Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, played drums in the Longhorn Band and lettered on the Fencing team. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, where he pledged Phi Chi medical fraternity, played drums in a medical school combo, and was a member of the Osteon Interfraternity. While in medical school, he met Reva Mae Hackney, a student at the University of Texas School of Nursing. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in June of 1954. He and his wife moved to San Antonio where he started his internship at Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital. After completing his internship, Hardin served a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force and received his flight surgeon training and wings at Randolph Air Force Base. He was transferred to Stewart Air Force Base at the Eastern Air Command in Newburgh, New York, where he was promoted to Captain and served as a flight surgeon logging his flight time in T-33 jet aircraft.

After his discharge, Doc moved back to Vernon in 1957 with his wife, son, and daughter to continue in his career practice of 50 years which included 48 years in the same office at 209 Herring Bank Building in Vernon, Texas.

Doc loved his hometown of Vernon and was deeply involved with the community. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder and Trustee. He established the Pizza Point restaurant. He enjoyed being the team physician for the Vernon Lion football squad for 15 years. He served as Vernon College physician. He was a past member of the Lions Club, Random Club, Santa Rosa Palomino Club and director of Community Concert Association. He loved the Rotary Club where he served as president and board member. In 2012, he earned the coveted Paul Harris Fellow award. He was a (Master) 32nd degree Mason and member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Jesters.

He served Vernon as county health officer and later as city health officer. Doc was an advisor for the Tuberculosis Association, March of Dimes, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. He served as president of the Wilbarger County Medical Society, president of the Wilbarger General Hospital staff and for 20 years he was also the medical director there. Dr. Hardin retired from family practice in December of 2005.

He loved entertaining friends with his endless jokes and storytelling. He enjoyed lifelong hobbies of hunting and fishing and attending his children and grandchildren's many activities, especially VHS varsity tennis matches while all 5 grandchildren played on the team.

John B. Hardin, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Reva, and son, John B. Hardin, III on June 15, 2022. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Hardin Bond and husband Dan, 5 grandchildren: Jennifer Kute and husband Josh of Lubbock: Natalie Bloomingdale and husband James of Dallas; John B. Hardin, IV and wife Annabel of Fort Worth; Meredith McCord and husband Matthew of Midland; and Blaine Bond and wife Meredith of Dallas as well as 9 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.