Clayton Thomas Hardon

Clayton Thomas Hardon of Fox Chapel died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 11th, 2022 at the age of 91.  He is survived by his wife Sally Flannery Hardon and son Clay Jr. (Claire), daughter Meg, daughter Kelly O’Leary (Frank), son Chris, son Tony (Michele) and daughter Sara Aros (Steve), plus his eight grandchildren including Tommy (Donna), Michael (Ida), Kelley, William, Margot, Jack, Callie, and Addie.  He was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts by his mother Elizabeth Coulter Hardon, an immigrant from Scotland.  He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, and graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering.  He served as a navigator bombardier in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force.  Following his service in the Air Force, he came to Pittsburgh to start his career at Westinghouse Electric as an engineer in their nuclear division. It was in Pittsburgh that he met his beloved wife, Sally, and where they raised their six children.  His entrepreneurial ventures started with a steel fabrication business that served the steel and electronics industries, followed by a commercial signage business. He was an active member of his many communities including Judge of Elections in Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, Fox Chapel Hackers golf group, and the Pittsburgh Field Club.  As a lifelong athlete and competitor, Clay played ice hockey, football, squash, paddle tennis and had a lifetime enjoyment of golf. He passed his love of paddle and golf on to his kids and grandkids who enjoyed competing with him on the course and the court. Cover-to-cover reader of The New Yorker, faithful completer of the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle and jazz aficionado, he appreciated creativity, philosophy, and the arts. Clay approached life with an easy-going and unpretentious warmth. He will be remembered with love and fondness by his family and friends for his natty dress, dry wit, and grateful spirit.  Friends will be received on Thursday January 20, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Atrium of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church followed by a Funeral Service at 2pm in the Main Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made In Memory of Clayton Hardon to Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, 749 Hemlock Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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