Tacoma, Washington
Rick Hardin, 56, formerly of Decatur passed at his home in Tacoma, Wash., on Dec. 16, 2009, following a year-long battle with cancer.

Born Feb. 18, 1953, he attended Decatur High School, where he played basketball and helped lead his team to a state championship. He was all-state and a high school All American. He played for Mississippi State and Calhoun, earning MVP in several tournaments. He finished his basketball career at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his BA degree in Business Administration. Rick started his career in banking in the mortgage division as manager and later as assistant vice president. After leaving the bank, he started a 20 year career in real estate as an agent specializing in residential and investment and later as marketing and recruiting director. Rick participated in company and church sports and became an avid golfer, winning several local tournaments, and coached his son''s basketball team to a championship.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Kyung S.; daughter Stephanie Terese; sons John Wesley (wife Renae) and Spencer Richard "Ricky" Jr.; stepson Jayson; granddaughters Dyani Elaine Elizabeth (Ricky''s) and Emma Rose (Jayson''s), all of Tacoma; his mother, Bertha Lee Elizabeth; and a brother, Billy Joe, both of Decatur; and sisters Judy Welch of Moulton and Linda Ratliff of Atlanta. Preceding him in death were his father, Spencer E. Hardin, and a sister, Carolyn.

Rick will be cremated in Tacoma and a service held there for family and friends. His ashes will be escorted to Decatur by his daughter, where a service will be held Jan. 16, 2010, at Ridout''s Brown Service Funeral Home Chapel, and his ashes will be interred in the family plot at Roselawn.