Stan Edwin Hardy

Mr. Stan Edwin Hardy, 49, of Lowgap, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Arrington, VA.

Mr. Hardy was born July 19, 1975, in Surry County, to Troy Edwin and Joyce Grey Hardy. Stan was raised in the Sparger Road community and was a proud graduate of North Surry High School, class of 1993. He was an Eagle Scout with Troop #556. After high school, he attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Science.

In 2000, Stan married Sonnie Cooke and created a home that was built on a foundation of strength, faith, and love. Stan found a true best friend and partner in life with Sonnie and they did everything together, sharing a love for the outdoors, hunting, horses, adventure, and their son, Zane.

Stan’s dedication and intense work ethic were evident throughout his life. He spent many years working in the family business, Hardy Tree Service, alongside his father. After the unexpected passing of his father in 2003, Stan and his brother, Mitchell, took over the business, and Stan became a certified arborist. Later, Stan transitioned out of the tree service business and went on to co-found Parkway Generator.

Stan was known for being a reliable and steadfast presence in the lives of his family and friends. He was always there when needed, offering support, advice, encouragement, and strength in both the joyful and the challenging moments of life. He was a true provider of comfort and stability and a man of deep faith. Stan is often referred to as the “rock” of his family – a gentle giant whose influence on his family and friends will never be forgotten. Stan’s outgoing, easy nature and ability to make friends with anyone he met were just some of the reasons he was loved and admired by all who knew him.

Stan had a deep passion for the outdoors and was an accomplished hunter beginning at a young age. In addition to his love for hunting, Stan enjoyed many adventures with his family, including horseback riding, ATV riding, traveling, and pursuing his latest passion of cross-country dirt bike racing with his son, Zane.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sonnie Cooke Hardy; his son and pride and joy, Zane Gates Hardy; his mother, Joyce Grey Hardy; his brother, Mitchell Hardy; his mother-in-law, Sandra Stout; his step-mother-in-law, Mary Emily Cooke; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Stacy and Richard Carroll; his nieces and nephew, Elin Hardy, Adilyn Hardy, Sophie Smith, and Porter Smith; a large extended family and many special friends who will forever hold him in their hearts, especially a dear first cousin, Mollie Norman Tompkins; and a special grandmother, Geraldine “Jinky” Montgomery.

Mr. Hardy was preceded in death by his father, Troy Edwin Hardy; his sister-in-law, Brittany Mellow Hardy; his maternal grandparents, Harlie and Annie Leonard Grey; his paternal grandparents, James Harbour and Martha Columbia Bowman Hardy; and his father-in-law, Wayne Cooke.

A service of worship and celebration of Stan’s life will be held Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Highland Park Baptist Church, with Dr. Darrell Tate officiating. No formal visitation will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Carolina Hunters for the Hungry, Inc. at www.huntersforthehungry.org; or Hunters Helping Kids, Inc., 94 Delp Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644.

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.