Dan was born December 7, 1935, in Purcell, Oklahoma, to Roy Opal (R.O.) and Mary Jewell Smith Hardage. He graduated from Elmore City High School and was a 2-year honor student at Oklahoma State University when he was nominated by U.S. Senator Mike Monroney and assigned to the 1st Cadet Squadron at the newly established U.S. Air Force Academy. He helped make history as 1 of 206 members of the academys 1st graduating class. President Eisenhower was made an honorary member of the class and received a B.S. degree from the academy in the colorful ceremony. After graduation Dan was an instructor pilot and flew from bases in Georgia and Texas before leaving the Air Force, becoming a senior engineer with Texas Instruments, and later with OKCs Western Electric Plant, which became Lucent. He earned an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Dan served his country, his family, his church, and his local community. He was elected to the Western Heights School Board and later appointed by Governor Keating to the Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) Board of Regents. More importantly he was a servant of Jesus Christ. As a member of Council Road Baptist Church, he was a teacher, financial advisor, cook and dishwasher, building committee member, and "all-around handyman", ready to assist wherever needed. He helped Reaching Our City (ROC) convert an old warehouse into a vital food-distribution center, medical clinic, counseling center and neighborhood church. Dan was a country boy, and gardening was in his blood. Friends and neighbors enjoyed the fruits of his labor; his asparagus was appreciated, but he was widely known as a "tomato guru". He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Royal Newton Hardage and his sister, Elva Hardage Seaton. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Kellner Hardage, his son, Zac Croy and wife Lisa of Ferndale, MI; grandchildren, Elliott and Izzy, and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and countless friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to CRBC Benevolence Fund, ROC, or other charities. Viewing will be Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 11am-9pm with family present from 2-4pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany, OK. Service will be Monday, May 2, 2016 at 1:30pm at Council Road Baptist Church with interment to follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Wheatland, OK. Funeral Service Monday, May 2, 2016 01:30 PM Council Road Baptist Church 2900 N. Council Road Bethany, OK 73008