Clyde Reese Hardisty, age 96, departed this life on January 24, 2011 at the Norman Veterans’ Center.  He was born December 23, 1914, in Clarksville, AR, to Thomas and Josephine Hardisty.  He was a long time member of Westside Church of Christ.  He graduated from high school from Bennington, OK, and then graduated with a BS degree in Education from Southeastern University in Durant, OK.  He started his teaching career in Tishomingo, OK, but interrupted it to join the US Army in World War II.  He became a staff sergeant and served 41 months, participating in the Battle of Saipan in the Mariana Islands.  He received the “Bronze Star” for “Meritorious Service”.  After returning to civilian life, Clyde received a Masters’ Degree in Education from the University of New Mexico in 1949.   He then took a job teaching Science in Davis, OK.  He met Bobby Sue Hottel in Davis and they were married in 1953 and were together for 57 1/2 years.

In 1960 they moved to Norman, OK where Clyde became Principal for Jackson Elementary School.  At that time, there were 832 students at Jackson.  He was a teaching Principal and had about 40 students in his sixth grade class.  After 9 years with Norman Public Schools, Clyde took a job as Director of Academic Advisement at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK.  Eleven years later he retired, and then spent another seven years working at his favorite store, Ace Hardware.  After retirement he spent a number of years gardening, visiting with neighbors and friends, attending church and school activities of his grandchildren.  He also enjoyed helping his long time friend, Vernon Lamirand, deliver products to customers.  In 2010, he suffered his third stroke that left him unable to walk and entered the Norman Veterans Center where he received excellent medical and nursing care.  He enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the Center and the farm like surroundings.  He especially enjoyed seeing the flags waving and watching the beautiful sunsets.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Bobby Sue Hardisty of the home; children, Mark Hardisty and wife Jade of Norman and Ruth Ann Wakefield and husband Jerry of Edmond; grandchildren, Joshua, Bobby and Peter Hardisty of Norman, Whitney Wakefield of Stillwater, OK, Bryce Wakefield in the US Army stationed in Iraq and Kali Wakefield of Edmond; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and four sisters.

Visitation will be held 2:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M., Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St., Norman.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 28, 2011 at Westside Church of Christ, 726 McGee, Norman with interment following at 2:00 P.M. in the Greenhill Cemetery, Davis, OK under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home.

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