J. Scott Hardy

J. Scott Hardy, 70, Johnson City, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, as a result of complications related to diabetes. He was the oldest son of Helen and the late James Hardy, of Columbus, Mississippi.
Scott was a transplant to East Tennessee from Mississippi. Education was in Jackson, attending Murrah High and Millsaps College, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Following an interest in science and medicine, Scott started an internship with the Semmes-Murphy Neurosurgical Clinic in Memphis, where he met Dr. Robert Hines. They subsequently left on an “adventure” to Johnson City, TN in 1975 that lasted over 40 years.
This move was in the pioneering days of neurosurgery, where the diagnostic tools were somewhat primitive; meaning, no computerized tomography (CAT scans). Appalachian Neurosurgical Clinic was formed with Dr. Horace Cupp and Tom Truman PA-C, and later Dr. Steve Hamel and Dr. Scott Dulebohn. The wonderful stories from this adventure are legendary and numerous. Scott retired in 2013 from clinical practice.
Scott attended the Wake Forest University School of Physician Assistant studies from 1984-1986 and became one of the first Certified Physician Assistants in the East Tennessee area. He practiced Neurosurgery first at Memorial Hospital and then later at Johnson City Medical Center.
Scott had an interest in all things technical and created Light Impressions to provide staging and theatrical lighting for churches, theatrical productions and dance companies. He is so grateful to many talented directors and creative collaborators over the years for sharing their visions. Scott retired from this avocation in 2016. Most folks are unaware that Scott had serious musical training form grade 2 through his Junior year in college in both piano and church organ. All the years growing up, Scott used his talents playing for his church, accompanying choirs and playing for weddings, funerals and revivals.
In addition to his mother, surviving family include: sister, Kay (Rob) Walker, of Decatur, AL; brother, Kirk (Vicki) Hardy, of Columbus, MS; Julia (Tyler) Slack, of Knoxville, TN; Sarah Walker, Charlotte, NC; David, Natalie, and William Hardy, of Columbus, MS; Jon Tyler, Walker, and Mary Helen Slack, of Knoxville, TN.; and many incredible friends that Scott made over the years, he was so grateful to each person for their special contributions to his life.
It was clear that Scott was a contributor of his time and resources to things that mattered and would encourage his friends to continue this tradition in his memory. Suggested charities for memorial contributions include: Doe River Gorge Ministries, 220 Doe River Gorge Rd., Hampton, TN 37658; Niswonger Children’s Hospital, 400 N. State of Franklin Rd., Johnson City, TN 37604; SD Lee Foundation, 317 7th St. N., Columbus, MS 39701; or your local PBS television station, 1611 E. Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917.
A visitation will be held from 1 PM until 3 PM Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. Scott’s cremated remains will be buried in a family plot in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, MS at a later date.