Daniel Wise Hardage

LIEUTENANT DANIEL WISE HARDAGE
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Daniel "Dan" Wise Hardage was born on December 7, 1935, in Purcell, Oklahoma, to Roy Opal (R.O.) and Mary Jewell Hardage. Raised with a "country boy" work ethic in Elmore City, Oklahoma, he graduated from Elmore City High School and went on to spend two years as an honor student at Oklahoma State University.

His trajectory changed permanently when he was nominated by U.S. Senator Mike Monroney to join the newly established United States Air Force Academy. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 01, Dan arrived as a member of the historic first class of cadets. He proudly walked across the graduation stage in 1959 as one of the 206 original graduates of USAFA, celebrating alongside honorary classmate President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

MILITARY SERVICE & FLYING CAREER
Following graduation and commissioning, Lieutenant Hardage entered undergraduate pilot training. He earned his wings and transitioned into military aviation as an instructor pilot. He operated out of Air Force bases in Georgia and Texas, ultimately serving with the 3560th Pilot Training Wing at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas, from 1962 to 1965. Hardage reached the rank of Captain (O-3) during his time in active service, dedicating his military career to shaping the skills and safety of the next generation of Air Force pilots.

POST-MILITARY ENGINEERING AND CORPORATE CAREER

After completing his active-duty service, Dan brought his sharp analytical mind to the private tech sector. He joined Texas Instruments as a senior engineer and later transitioned to Western Electric’s facility in Oklahoma City (which later became Lucent Technologies). While working in industry, he continued his education by pursuing post-graduate studies, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Oklahoma City University in 1974.

COMMUNITY, HOBBIES, AND FAITH
Dan was deeply rooted in his community and active in public service. He was elected to the Western Heights School Board and was later appointed by Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating to serve on the Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) Board of Regents.

More importantly he was a servant of Jesus Christ. A devout man of faith, Dan spent decades as an active member and leader at Council Road Baptist Church, serving in capacities ranging from financial advisor and building committee member to church cook and dishwasher. He was highly instrumental in the Reaching Our City (ROC) initiative, helping transform an old warehouse into a vital community resource that housed a food distribution center, medical clinic, and counseling center.

Outside of his volunteer work, Dan was an avid gardener. True to his Oklahoma roots, gardening was in his blood, and he became widely recognized in his neighborhood as a "tomato guru" whose homegrown asparagus and tomatoes were legendary among friends and neighbors.

FAMILY AND LEGACY

Dan passed away on April 28, 2016, at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Royal Newton Hardage, and his sister Elva Hardage Seaton. He left behind a rich legacy of service, survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary Kellner Hardage, his son Zac Croy and daughter-in-law Lisa, and his two grandchildren, Elliott and Izzy. He is buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Wheatland, Oklahoma.

SERVICE, ASSIGNMENT, AND EDUCATION SUMMARY

EDUCATION

U.S. Air Force Academy B.S. (Class of 1959, CS-01) 1959
USAF Pilot Training Undergraduate Pilot Training / Wings c. 1960
Oklahoma City University Master of Business Administration (MBA) 1974
SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

USAF Active Duty Cadet / Student Pilot Various Bases (CO, GA) 1955–1961
3560th Pilot Training Wing Instructor Pilot Webb AFB, Texas 1962–1965
Western Electric / Lucent Senior Engineer Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1965+

MEDALS AND AWARDS

National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon