Michael “Mike” Homer Hardy, 72, passed away on August 2, 2021 after a 10-year battle with early onset Alzheimer’s. He spent his final days surrounded by his family.

Mike was born on August 1, 1949, in Tampa, Florida to Homer and Barbara (nee Radcliff) Hardy. In early childhood, his family moved to Kansas City, which he called home. Mike attended Shawnee Mission West then transferred to Shawnee Mission South, where he graduated in 1968. After High School, he briefly attended Pittsburgh State University, in Pittsburgh, Kansas, and then joined the Army Reserves and later the Air Force Reserves when he learned the Air Force wouldn’t make him cut his hair.

Soon after, Mike began his long career in the restaurant business, which included Steak and Ale and the Gilbert-Robinson restaurant group. In 1980, he opened his first restaurant, Chaps, in Kansas City, MO, and then bought Theodore’s Restaurant in Topeka, Kansas.

Following the birth of his first child, Mike shifted his focus to commercial real estate, working for Block and Company before starting Hardy Companies.

Mike was like a primary color. He was bold, bright, memorable and mixed well with others. He never met a stranger, he had countless close friends and everyone that knew him instantly fell in love with his quick wit, humor and relaxed inviting demeanor. Mike loved to travel, especially to the beach in Mexico and Florida, and he loved cooking his famous chili and smoked ribs. He loved Red Stripe beer, a good vodka martini with blue cheese olives and dry red wine. Mike loved art of all kinds and spent many years adding to his expansive art collection. He loved reading, his dog Olive, laying in a hammock, smoking cigars, exploring new recipes, attending concerts, farmers markets, his family, working in the yard and hosting dinner parties where Simply Red, Eric Clapton, The Eagles or The Rolling Stones would be playing over the surround sound. 

Michael is survived by his wife, Virginia; their children, Lauren (Tom) Christl and Katherine Hardy; his grandchild, Olivia Christl; his brother, Mitchell Hardy; and his sister, Maurica Hardy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Alzheimer’s Association

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