Joel Hardison, 85, a resident of Chattanooga since 1970, passed away September 30, 2023.  Joel was a former coach and guidance director with the Hamilton County School System.  He served as an adjunct faculty member at Chattanooga State, Cleveland State and Tennessee Tech.

Joel was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in Guam and Hawaii as an airborne radar operator.  He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Golden Gateway where he served as an adult teacher for many years.  He was a founding member of the Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Support Group, and he was recognized by the Hixson Area Council with the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Civic and Commerce Contributions.  He was an honorary lifetime member of the Hamilton County P.T.A.

Joel received his B.S. and Masters degrees from Tennessee Tech.  There he played varsity baseball and was chosen all Ohio Valley Conference player two years.  He received his Doctorate in Education from Virginia Tech focusing on handicap rehabilitation and substance abuse counseling.

Joel was born in Columbia, TN and was the son of Harrison and Hettie Hardison.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Wright Hardison, daughters Melissa (Robert) Pettway and Emily (Clint) Bagley; grandchildren Regan (Mia) Pettway, Annsley Pettway, Reid Pettway, Brant and Brenna Bagley, and sister Shirley Corder of Gallatin, TN.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Water's and Builder's Classes.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons Regan and Reid Pettway, Brant Bagley and nephews Jeremy and Wesley Jenkins, Beau Corder, Jason Gilliam and Alex Segar.  The family will receive friends from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the Hamilton Funeral Home at 4506 Hixson Pike.  Funeral services will follow at 12:00 pm with Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating.

Interment will follow the service at the Benton Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Benton, TN.  Donations of love may be made to First Baptist Church at 401 Gateway Avenue in Chattanooga, TN, 37402.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343.