Sidney (Skip) Wray Hardcastle, Jr.

December 11, 1946 - January 15, 2023

Sidney Wray Hardcastle, Jr., 76, passed away after a lengthy illness on January 15, 2023 in

Bossier City, Louisiana. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2p Saturday, February 4,

2023 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Benton, Louisiana where he served as a deacon. The

church is located at 304 Sibley, Benton, Louisiana.

Skip (or Skipper or Bubba) was born on December 11, 1946 in Shreveport, LA, the son of

Sidney Wray Hardcastle Sr and Thelma Marie Jones Hardcastle. After spending several years

in Caney, KS., Skip and his family returned to Shreveport where he graduated from Byrd High

School, excelling in the sport of Track & Field as a sprinter. He briefly attended Northeast

Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana on an athletic scholarship before entering the Navy

where he spent numerous years in Vietnam and exploring the world.

During his stint in the Navy, Skip met his future bride and the love of his life, Karen Brown

Hardcastle. This marriage lasted for almost 52 years and they were blessed with one daughter,

Ashley Nicole Hardcastle, which was Skip's pride and joy.

Skipper lived a life that was grounded in hard work, integrity, honesty, and loyalty. These

characteristics were incorporated into every aspect of his life, especially his family, his friends,

and his community. He loved to help and serve others - including serving up a fantastic meal

(best catfish ever!) or in cooking crawfish boils for his English Color and Supply family.

Skipper was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Karen Hardcastle and

his daughter Ashley Hardcastle, both of Benton LA, sisters Amy Young and husband Ricky of

Georgetown, TX and Jan Bosquez and husband Ernest of Franklin, TX. Additional survivors

include several nephews and numerous friends and acquaintances.

In lieu of flowers, the family request any donations be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, (304

Sibley, Benton, LA 71006), the charity of your choice, or just take your family out to dinner in

honor of Skip.