Clifton L. “Buddy” Hardy Jr. died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at River Region Medical Center. He was 74.

Born in Madison County, he was the son of the late C.L. Hardy Sr. and Marjorie Kern Hardy. Mr. Hardy was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy in Sewanee, Tenn.; he attended Hinds Junior College and Mississippi State University. He was president and general manager of Vicksburg Concrete Company from 1962 to 1982 and from 1982 to 1987 was general manager of Magnolia Concrete Company.

Mr. Hardy was area manager of Mississippi Materials Company from 1987 until his retirement in 2000. Active in civic and business activities, he was a past president of the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce; president and a founding board member of the Mississippi Concrete Industries Association; member of the Committee of 100-Economic Development Branch of the Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Mississippi Economic Council. He was a past member of the Vicksburg Jaycees, the Miss Mississippi Pageant Board and the Vicksburg Rotary Club and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and treasurer.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marilyn Williams Hardy; four sons, Robert F. Hardy (Donna) and Mark A. Hardy (Rachel), both of Vicksburg, Paul Eric Hardy of Clinton and John B. Hardy (Maria) of Byram; 10 grandchildren; his sister, Rebecca Montgomery of Edwards; and his beloved dog, LuLu.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Michael Nation officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday at the church from 9 a.m. until the service. Riles Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Christ Episcopal Church, 1115 Main St., Vicksburg, MS 39183 or charities of choice.