James Douglas Hardy

life story

On Mom’s porch swing….

About Jim

James D. Hardy

May 3, 1958 – July 26, 2025

James ‘Jim’ Hardy passed away after a long battle with cancer, having outlived medical expectations through his dedicated study and use of natural, holistic therapies. He leaves behind unfinished projects and a community that will forever remember his inventive spirit and generous heart.

From his early years in Minto, North Dakota, Jim demonstrated his mechanical interest when he stood on a beer case to peer into Dad’s car engines. He later crafted a two-story bicycle as a boy, and fashioned go-carts using lawn mower engines. That hands-on curiosity blossomed into a lifelong vocation.

Jim had his own auto repair shop, ‘Jim’s Auto Service’, where he charged fair prices for top-quality repairs, but never hesitated to ‘rig’ a quick fix when someone simply needed to get back on the road. He eagerly taught customers basic maintenance, earning him the affectionate nicknames ‘Car Guy” and ‘Brake Guy.’

Always pushing boundaries, Jim retrofitted a Mercedes engine to run on discarded cooking oil from his favorite Chinese restaurants.

He developed a love of Chinese culture which inspired him to learn to read, write, and converse in Cantonese, and he dabbled with Mandarin also.

Dissatisfied with complacency, Jim immersed himself in legal studies, at times sending prosecutors and judges scrambling for their law books. He held corrupt systems to account and reminded everyone that knowledge, even self-taught, can be a powerful tool for justice.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Nigel R. Hardy, Adeline E. Hardy, and his beloved ‘pe’iou’, Lili Chan. He is survived by his siblings R. Thomas Hardy, Michael Hardy (Barb), Nancy Murphy (James), Kelly Clarno (Russ), Anita M. Jordan (Craig), C. Matthew Hardy, Philip A. Hardy (Jessica) and Christopher J. Hardy (Wendy), as well as nine nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life

Friends and family are invited to honor Jim’s memory on September 14, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave S. St. Louis Park, MN 55426

memorial service

Celebration of Life for James

September 14, 2025

Park Tavern 3401 Louisiana Ave S, St Louis Park, MN 55426, USA

Refreshments will be served.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services