Richard "Jiggie" Townsend Hardee

Richard “Jiggie” Townsend Hardee, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014, at his home. Jiggie was born on June 11, 1939 in St. Augustine, Florida. His family moved to Morgan City in 1941 with the shrimp business. He was a graduate of Morgan City High School, Class of 1958 and he was on the State Championship football team. He graduated from Nicholls State University with a B.A. in Business. He joined his father at Sea Shrimp Company, and after retiring from the shrimp business, he spent 17 years with the St. Mary Parish School Board. He was a member of Patterson United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Ila Robicheaux Hardee; two sons, Townsend Hardee and Benjamin Hardee; two granddaughters, Leilani Hardee and Amanda Hardee; his siblings: Marvin Hardee Jr. and wife Maria, Dana Hardee Bruni and husband Joe, Elna Hardee Jones and husband Tommy, Conley Hardee and wife Ruthie. Jiggie is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Jiggie was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Sr. and Virginia Booth Hardee; his sister-in-law, Ina Robicheaux Keith; and niece Kara Hardee Coupe. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Patterson United Methodist Church with Rev. Steven J. Porter and Rev. Aaron Carpenter officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. A private entombment will be held in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Townsend Hardee, Benjamin Hardee, Michael Keith, Ian Bergeron, Craig Bergeron, and Edgar Thomas Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Dreher, Jr., Glynn Fears, Lee LeBlanc, and Tom Forgey. Our heartfelt thanks go to the wonderful care given by Dr. Robert Gamble, Dr. Eric Melancon, Dr. William Cefalu, Dr. Tomas Birriel, Dr. Jacques Gaudet, and the wonderful nurses on the 5th Floor of Teche Regional Medical Center. We would also like to thank Bayou Home Care and Journey Hospice of Houma for the care that they provided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Patterson United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 656 Patterson, LA 70392.