Mainstay of Warner Robins Little Theater dies

Warner Robins Little Theater lost one of its longtime stalwarts Tuesday.

Fred Hardin, who directed and acted in plays at the theater since the early 1970s, died after a battle with lung disease, said Tyler Bryant, a former theater board member. Bryant wrote and directed a play in December in which Hardin portrayed Santa Claus. It was Hardin’s last production.

Bryant said Hardin had been involved in some way or another with just about every production at the theater since he first became involved with it. Hardin was a teacher at Linwood Elementary School. After he retired, Hardin was a frequent substitute in the Houston County school system, often teaching theater classes.

“He would bleed and sweat theater,” Bryant said. “He was so excited to tell people about theater.”

Hardin is listed as producer and director in the theater’s upcoming production of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” Bryant said Hardin has been out for a month due to his illness, so it was known he wouldn’t be involved and his death will not impact the production. The opening date is April 28.

Bryant recalled arriving at a play at the theater once and seeing Hardin outside in the rain directing parking.

“No job was beneath him,” Bryant said. “He really had a servant heart for the theater.”

Dot Leach, a theater board member, had known Hardin since she started working with the theater in 1977.

“He was one of the most compassionate, caring men I’ve ever met,” she said. “At the end of every conversation he always said ‘I love you.’ ”

She will be directing her first play early next year, which she said Hardin encouraged her to do.

“It will be sad without him there to mentor me,” she said.

McCullough Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements, which have not been set.

This story was originally published April 18, 2017 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Mainstay of Warner Robins Little Theater dies."