Incident Name:
Date: Incident Date: July 6, 2013, 2224 hrs; Death Date: July 9, 2013, 0200 hrs
Personnel: Rodney Hardee
Age: 66
Agency/Organization: Loris FD, SC
Position: Assistant Chief
Summary: Assistant Fire Chief Hardee responded to a brush fire late in the evening of July 6th, 2013. Upon return from the response, Hardee complained of having a headache and then departed the station and returned home. Early the next morning, Chief Hardee failed to respond on another emergency call. His wife noticed he was seriously ill and contacted 911 Fire/EMS for a possible stroke. Chief Hardee was transported to Grand Strand Hospital in Myrtle Beach where surgery was performed that day. Assistant Fire Chief Hardee succumbed to CVA injury and passed away around 0200hrs on the morning of July 9th.
from the Loris Fire Department Facebook Page:
Maps
USNG: 17S PT 9464 7055
Loris Fire Department 3909 Walnut Street, Loris, SC
{mosmap lat=’34.057642’|lon=’-78.891034’|marker=’0’|text=’Loris Fire Department’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Loris Fire Department Assistant Chief dies7/9/2013 | Online Article
Loris Fire Department Assistant Chief Rodney Hardee died overnight, according to the Loris Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. On Sunday, a posting on the Facebook page said Hardee was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center for a “massive brain bleed.”
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He leaves behind a wife and two sons. One recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan… (More at the link.)
- Loris assistant fire chief dies after medical emergency7/9/2013 | Online Article with photo
Loris officials and firefighters are mourning the loss of one of their devoted staffers following the death of Rodney Hardee following a medical emergency, according to officials with the Loris Volunteer Fire Department. (More at the link.)
- Funeral Arrangements from the fire department’s Facebook Page:Visitation: July 11th, 5pm-7pm – Loris Public Safety Complex, 3909 Walnut St. Loris, SC
Funeral: July 12th, 2pm – Loris High School, 301 Loris Lions Rd, with a graveside service to follow at Oak Dale Baptist Church, 1695 Oak Dale Rd.
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Obituary:Mr. Rodney Clifton Hardee, age 66, of Loris, SC passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 after a short illness at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. He was born in Horry County to Joseph Clifton Hardee and Irene Hardee. He was a graduate of Loris High School and received a BS in Business Management from Coker College. He was the Public Works Director for the City of Loris with forty one years of service. He also served as the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Loris with forty years of service, which after God and his family, was his greatest passion. He answered his last call just hours before being hospitalized. During his time with the fire department, he received certification as a State Fire Marshal. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Mr. Hardee served in the South Carolina Army National Guard, obtaining the rank of First Sergeant with thirty-three years of service to his State and Country.
One of his greatest loves was Oak Dale Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and numerous other positions during his time with the church. He was the founder and director of the food distribution program at Oak Dale, and his life’s focus was that of caring for others in need and those less fortunate within his community. Even after battling through several health complications throughout his life, he refused to quit and continued his selfless service to the community.
He was a member of numerous associations including The South Carolina State Fireman’s Association, South Carolina National Guard Association, South Carolina Water and Pollution Association and Loris Masonic Lodge # 205 A.F.M.
Mr. Hardee is survived by his wife, Donnella Stevens Hardee; two sons and their spouses, Cole and Tanya Hardee, Ashley and Angie Hardee; his mother, Irene Hardee; three sisters and their spouses, Brenda Canada, Charlotte and Lloyd Harrelson, Yvonne and Ray Stanley; and five grandchildren, Holly, Maclaley, Bryson, Colson, and Bella Hardee; numerous nephews and nieces, and he became “pa-pa” to a great number of “acquired” grandchildren throughout the local community.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Clifton Hardee.
A scholarship fund is being established in his memory for students that have survived life’s obstacles. Memorials may be made to The Rodney C. Hardee Memorial Scholarship Fund, 925 Heritage Road, Loris, SC 29569.
- Loris Fire Department Facebook Page
- USFA Memorial Database: Rodney Hardee
- A scholarship fund is being established in Rodney Hardee’s memory for students that have survived life’s obstacles. Memorials may be made to The Rodney C. Hardee Memorial Scholarship Fund, 925 Heritage Road Loris, SC 29569.
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