of Maumelle, AR

September 16, 1951 - August 11, 2025

Luther ''Lu'' Hardin, 73, of Maumelle passed away on August 11, 2025. Lu was born on September 16, 1951 in Searcy to Luther S. and Chrystal Hardin. He loved his childhood in Searcy, where he developed a love for golf and politics. In high school, he was student body president and a member of the golf, baseball and debate teams, playing left field for the 1969 Searcy American Legion Baseball team that won the state championship. In his visits to Searcy over the years, he loved to visit the baseball field and share his memories.

After high school, Lu attended Arkansas Tech, where he graduated in 1973 with high honors. During his time at Tech, he served as President of the Student Senate and a member of the debate team. He also played golf for the Wonder Boys and was selected for the All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference team.

Lu met his wife, Mary, at the Tech Post Office in 1971. They were married in 1975 and were blessed with two beloved children, Scott and Mallory. Following his stage 4 cancer diagnosis in September 2024, Lu made clear that his top priority was to make it to their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19, 2025. He succeeded, and the family had a wonderful celebration on that day, with Lu and Mary telling stories and sharing wisdom from their 50 years of marriage. Mary was his wife and best friend. Together, they built a life of faith, hard work, family, fun and adventure.

After graduating from Tech, Hardin attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he graduated in 1976. During law school, he served as lay speaker at churches throughout northwest Arkansas, including pastoring the Winslow United Methodist Church.

Lu and Mary moved to Russellville after law school, where Lu became a member of the Bullock, Hardin and McCormick Law Firm. In addition to practicing law, he discovered a love for teaching, becoming a professor of business at Arkansas Tech. He taught business law and rose to the rank of fully tenured professor. He was proud of his selection as Faculty Member of the Year and always found innovative ways to engage students and develop their interest in class. Lu combined his love of teaching and ministry through his Cornerstone Sunday School class at First Methodist in Russellville. In addition to leading the class, Lu and Mary developed close friendships in Cornerstone that continue to this day.

In Russellville, Lu joined a group of men early each morning to run several miles and then have coffee. He was a dedicated runner, completing the Dallas White Rock Marathon five times.

In addition to practicing law and teaching, Lu was elected to the Arkansas State Senate in 1983, where he served 14 years. He was a member of the Joint Budget Committee and chaired the Senate Education Committee, receiving numerous awards as a Senator and developing strong relationships with legislators in both parties.

In 1996, Hardin ran for the U.S. Senate in a field of five primary candidates, finishing second in the general primary and narrowly losing the runoff election. In January 1997, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Hardin to his Cabinet as the Director of the State Department of Higher Education, a position he held for six years. During his time leading the Department, the number of Academic Challenge Scholarships issued to Arkansas students more than tripled. He also launched a significant marketing campaign to ensure families across the state were aware of this scholarship, which made higher education more accessible for Arkansans.

In 2002, the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees selected Lu as UCA's eighth President, where he served until 2008. He worked with faculty to secure the university's removal from AAUP censure and soon launched one of the first statewide marketing campaigns for an Arkansas university through TV, radio and online advertisements. The campaign successfully increased enrollment, taking UCA from 8,500 students to approximately 13,000. Hardin also initiated and successfully oversaw the University's elevation from Division II to Division I athletics. He was also proud to secure funding for a new School of Business Building and many other large-scale projects.

In 2009, Hardin became the President of Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. During his tenure, he increased enrollment and gained greater visibility for the 3,200 student university and also expanded and grew its campus and sports facilities.

Lu and Mary retired and moved home to Little Rock in 2012 to be near children and grandchildren, who were the joy of his life. He loved picking up his grandchildren from school, taking them to the zoo, movies, practices or any event where he was needed. He called Scott and Mallory multiple times every day, offering to deliver a coffee, wash a car or bring a meal. His love of family included his in-laws, nephews and nieces, who were a large and meaningful part of his life. He maintained close contact and fellowship with his Searcy High School Class of 1969. During this time, he remained engaged in education, working to establish multiple opportunities for adults to gain their high school diploma or enter training programs. This included work on the creation of The Excel Center. Very simply, Lu Hardin loved to serve. During his illness, he received messages and letters from hundreds of Arkansans whose lives he had touched over the years.

Throughout his career, he was honored by many organizations, including the Arkansas Department of Vocational Education, Arkansas Press Association, Agricultural Agents Association, Arkansas Education Association, Council of Professional Firefighters, Arkansas School Counselors, Association of Elementary School Principals, Arkansas Municipal League, Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arkansas and many more.

In addition to his wife Mary, Lu leaves behind son, Scott Hardin and wife, Avie of Little Rock and daughter, Mallory Brooks and husband, Aaron of Little Rock. He leaves three beloved grandchildren, Harrison Hardin, Grace Anne Brooks and Bowen Brooks all of Little Rock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Saxon Hardin and Chrystal Delores Hardin and granddaughter, Ava Jane Hardin.

The family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice (Conway) for their wonderful care over the past few months.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Methodist Church in Little Rock, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, 1111 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 or Manna House c/o First United Methodist Church, 304 South Commerce Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com