Thomas David Hardin, 72, of Springdale, Arkansas peacefully went to be with his Lord Wednesday morning, June 4, 2025, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born January 30, 1953, in Eureka, California.
Tom is survived by his wife Ceil Adair Hardin of 44 years; their children Adriel Wiggins & husband Keith, Paul Hardin & wife Shelly, and Zina Harris & husband Seth; his 8 grandchildren Laura Wiggins, Karen Wiggins, David Wiggins, Ella Hardin, Ethan Hardin, Ziya Harris, Sage Harris, and Seek Harris; his sister Joyce Norwood & husband Chuck, and several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Hardin and Barbara Erwin Richey & husband Floyd, his brothers Richard Hardin & wife Rosemary and Harry Hardin & wife Sharon; his son Ethan Hardin; and 4 grandchildren in heaven.
Tom lived in Farmington, Arkansas as a child, then moved to Rogers, where he graduated from Rogers High School. He married Ceil Adair on July 6, 1981, and received his Master of Divinity from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in 1998. He served in the Army National Guard for 29 years, retiring in 2008 as Chaplain Assistant of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Tom was already a licensed preacher when he became a charter member of Mission Boulevard Baptist Church on October 27, 1975, serving there faithfully for almost 50 years. He was ordained to the gospel ministry on March 9, 1979, and dedicated his life to the Lord’s work. He was called as a missionary, with works in Pettigrew, Arkansas from 1981 to 1984 resulting in the organization of White River Baptist Church; Sallisaw, Oklahoma from 1984 to 1985; Pine Bluff, Arkansas from 1986 to 1991 resulting in the organization of Bethel Baptist Church; and Anniston, Alabama in 1994.
Tom held the pastorate of Fellowship Baptist Church in Winslow, Arkansas from 2006 to 2010. When not on the field, he acted as an associate pastor, trustee, teacher, and choir member of Mission Boulevard Baptist Church and was a member of many ordination presbyteries. He also served as a teacher at Fayetteville Christian School.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Mission Blvd Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until service-time at the church on Saturday.
Graveside services with military honors will follow the service at Round Mountain Cemetery.
Memorial service livestream link can be found at mbbc.us.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fayetteville Christian School.
Thomas David Hardin, January 30, 1953~June 4,2025
My family was close to the Hardin family. Bro Tom led me to Christ in 1986. I am forever grateful for his humble spirit, sense of humor and spiritual guidance. He will be missed. My condolences to Ms Ceil, Adriel, Paul and Zina. Thank you Bro Tom for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed
Tom Hardin was my Pastor, friend and my Bro. in Christ. He was always open to being a confidant. Me and my family loved him dearly. He was a great friend to my husband and my oldest child was Saved as a result of his first sermon to the Pine Bluff Ministry.
Rest Well Tom.
My love and prayers are with you all. Tom was a godly man and we all thought the world of him. Pastor Disney and all of us loved to hear him sing praise to the Lord. Now he gets to sing to the Lord in heaven!
Hardin family, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Bro. Tom. I pray God comforts each of you during this time.
Thank you Bro Tom for all the many Bible Studies you taught. I loved being taught & challenged by you. I learned to diagram verses. Psalm 119 will always remind me of you! You were always welcoming & encouraging each study I attended.
Bro. Tom has left a true void in our church. He was such a kind spirit. We raised our two boys together. He always had a word of encouragement and never a complaint. He was always a peacemaker and always sought a resolution in the midst of conflict. You could never say Bro. Tom was a source of contention! He always sought a Godly way to solve problems. I could go on about Bro. Tom. He was steady, consistent, courageous, committed, and a solid man of God! I am so thankful to have known and served alongside Bro. Tom. He was a true friend. He will be truly missed!
My family and I have known and been close friends with brother Tom and the Hardin family for decades. Brother Tom was a warm hearted, kind, soft spoken, genuinely sincere and caring man. He will be greatly missed. I have countless memories of him, as well as other members of the Hardin family. I can still picture Ethan’s smile to this day. He and my brother were great friends. Paul and I have known each other since Kindergarten and I’m glad to call him a lifelong friend. I love you Mrs. Ceil, my condolences to you and the entire family, Paul, Zina, Adriel and to their families also. Brother Tom was one of a kind and I’m honored and blessed that I was able to spend the times that I did with him. I can’t recall a time seeing him in a bad mood or not smiling about something. Today, he’s in Paradise with Ethan. It’s great comfort to know that we’ll get to see them again one day. I love you all, truly. God bless!