Newton Hardie

Newton Gary Hardie, 83, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, surrounded by family members. Born in Inman, SC, he was the son of the late Mary and Newton Hardie. He was married for 61 years to Nell Elizabeth Barker of Walhalla, SC. Mr. Hardie attended Georgia Institute of Technology on a naval ROTC scholarship and served in the US Navy on a destroyer in the Pacific from 1956-1959. After his service, he returned to Georgia Tech and earned an advanced degree in Industrial Engineering. He subsequently worked for 41 years for Milliken and Company in Spartanburg and LaGrange, GA. Mr. Hardie finished his career in Spartanburg as Vice President of Financial Planning after leading Milliken's initiative in continuous quality improvement. This initiative culminated in the company being awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award for performance excellence by the President of the United States. In retirement, Mr. Hardie was an active member of the Spartanburg Men's Garden Club and founded the Kudzu Coalition, a group that pioneered herbicide-free kudzu removal. The organization expanded to become the Trees Coalition, a non-profit organization that educates and inspires communities to care for trees, especially those planted along streets. Through his fundraising efforts, the Trees Coalition grew to include paid landscapers as well as committed volunteers who have had a significant impact on beautifying Spartanburg's streets, parks, and green spaces. In 2008, he received the National Spirit Volunteer of the Year Award given by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Later this month, he will be honored with the Duke Energy Citizenship Award given by the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce. A man of great faith, Mr. Hardie was active in the Presbyterian Church his entire life. He was first elected an elder at the age of 27 and continued to be elected elder at subsequent churches in each place he lived, most recently at Westminster Presbyterian in Spartanburg. He loved serving others locally and through Westminster's mission trips to Peru. Mr. Hardie is survived by his loving wife, Nell Elizabeth Barker; son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Marissa Hardie of Beaufort, SC; daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Mark Springfield of Raleigh, NC; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Charles Cate of Columbia, SC; and son and daughter-in-law, John and Adrienne Hardie of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren. Mr. Hardie is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Sue Hardie Mitchell. A Celebration of Life will take place Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 4:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 309 Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 E. Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Newton Hardie please visit our Sympathy Store.