James Wolford Hardin

James, second son of Leonard T. Hardin (a World War I disabled veteran) and Grace W. Hardin (a professor and writer who lived to be 103 years old), was born in Denver, Colorado, on 20 September 1938. On Christmas day 1937 Leonard was away from the hospital to spend the day with his wife and nine months later James made his appearance!!! James' father, Leonard (1893-1960), served during World War I and was deployed overseas. While in service, Leonard contacted the measles. Upon his return to the states after the war, Leonard caught tuberculosis while living in Louisville. Hardin moved his family to Colorado hoping that the drier air in the American west would improve his health, but it didn't. The family eventually returned to Kentucky. James' mother, Grace (1900-2003), lived in two centuries. Grace died at age 103, after receiving her high school diploma at 102 years of age (she went straight from the eighth grade to Western Kentucky State Normal School). Grace was also an alumna of both Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. She is also a member of Western's Century Club. Three Kentucky governors (Breathitt, Collins, and Patton) awarded a Kentucky Colonel certificate to Grace. In 1964 James was the first Operations Manager in the Pillsbury Company at age 26. During the 1960s and 1970s he owned record album stores in the Louisville, Kentucky, area and in southern Indiana. On 29 October 1971, the exact night that Duane Allman was killed, he (James) opened a rock music club that didn't serve alcohol. James wanted a safe establishment for his guests to appreciate music and dancing, but to avoid the problems associated with alcohol or drugs of the time. It took both courage and leadership to create such a safe environment during that period in American history. Many bands played the club including ZZ Top, and he met Bruce Hampton, Retired, who made a big influence on his life. For several years, James worked on a passenger railroad and saw the countryside in addition to meeting passengers from all walks of life. It is one of his cherished life experiences, but life on the road has many challenges and hardships too. James has been involved in movie and theater productions in Kentucky and southern Indiana for several decades. He has performed on traditional theater stages in Louisville, Kentucky, in Corydon, Madison, and West Baden, Indiana, and in other community theaters throughout the region. Sometimes he might be in a film that was a 100-mile drive from home. He even participated in murder mystery plays on dinner train excursions. After a full day at his regular business, he would drive to play rehearsals to spend his evenings and then return home. His dedication to the theater and movies was inspirational to audiences, friends, and family. James and his good friend, William Cothron (2005) late in their lives. They made several films together until the passing of Cothron on Saturday, 27 March 2010. During those films, they welcomed and involved cast and crew members from the Kentuckiana region. Their official goal "was . . . bringing together the best of cast and crew to make the best possible films." Therefore, they inspired others and helped to teach the cast and crew from their rich lives how to still have one career, but be able to finally produce, write, and direct films later in their lives. They both motivated and invigorated the cast and crew on their films. Their leadership over the years is well respected in the Metro Louisville and southern Indiana region. In all of their projects, they involved their family members because it was a shared passion and pursuit. James' oldest son, T. Drew Hardin, graduated from Hanover College sitting next to Woody Harrelson, was a junior at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia, when Julia Roberts was a senior and Walton Goggins was a freshman at same school. James worked on other films produced, directed, and written by others in addition to his own projects. He is a well-respected actor having a gravelly voice that sets a mood for his characters. Being tall, he creates an imposing tone and flavor to his acting. He is well-sought after by film production companies for his professionalism and dedication. He is a professional actor and producer for sure. Yet he always wanted to have a safe and fun experience for everyone on his cast and crew. James operates Indiana Core, Inc., a thriving engine sales company and scrap metal/recycling company that he started in his later years of life. The business became the largest seller of engines online. Once more, he recognized changing trends and embraced them to become successful in another aspect of his life. James has been an active member of the Kentuckiana Cinematography Club (KCC) since about 2005. Throughout his decades of involvement in the film and theater communities, he generously supported other people, production companies, and theaters. He has loaned cars and trucks, a wooden coffin, a hearse, and countless other objects that might be used as props. He never expected credit for those efforts. He welcomed others to film at his house or his place of business. Where or when others might fail, James helped his friends. Everyone admires and loves his dedication.