James L. Hardy

Carmen, I was saddened to hear about Jame's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sending all our love from your North Salt Lake neighbors.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

" They were the truest form of a partnership and a team" XO

James, this was supposed to be you writing for this me, not me for you! This is the only time you didn’t keep your word, dammit. We have been best friends for nearly 44 years both in business and our personal lives. I first met James in 1982. James was working for Alpine Drywall and came to my architect’s office to bid one of my jobs. I was busy drawing (way before computers and much more fun) and my secretary asked me if I wanted to meet with him. I said “expletive” no, but he persisted. James had a persuasive manner, walked into my office, and pissed me off. Within a few minutes, after some of my well-placed words (to know me, you know what they were), we laughed and immediately became fast friends. He bid the job and I made sure the GC used his bid. Soon after, he met and married Carmen and they became part of our Sunday beer ball. From that job on, we worked together continually both on bid jobs and his and Carmen’s own projects. In all those years, James’ word was his bond. He was someone I could trust and depend on. We became confidents and shared some clandestine secrets that will end with my passing, as it should be. I have done so many jobs with James and Carmen and family, I have lost count, but not the memories. I think I have done at 6 or more homes. With each child, James ask that I add their names to their bedrooms on their house plans and design their bedrooms to reflect their personalities. James and Carmen trusted me with every design. James always laughed at my jokes, mostly bad. I would sometimes go off script (actually often) when we worked and would express my thoughts in words not permitted in this space. Countless times “Jamsie” he would say, “calm down we will get through this.” We always did. He had a calmness to him. He would always let me set my fees for our work. Afterwards he would tell me that my fees are always too low for what I did. I said it wasn’t the money, but the freedom you gave me in my designs and the respect you had for my work was the real payment. That was special with him. I loved James. He was like the brother I never had. He would always call me from the liquor store to ask which wine he would pick up for dinner. He and I had been planning a winery and crabbing trip to Oregon with our wives, Carmen and Sandy, when he called me as soon as he found out he was ill. We put the trip aside and agreed to go as soon as he got better. My friend, I will still do that trip and eat crab and drink wine for both of us. You are truly a “one in a lifetime” person. Somewhere in time, we will drink that fine bottle of wine and toast each other and laugh at our secrets. I cry as I write this. I will miss you dearly the rest of my life. Farewell.

Carmen and Family, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of James. He was truly larger than life and had an infectious smile and big personality and heart. I was truly blessed to meet both of you through the BAM FAM! Our world lost a good one too soon, but I know that everyone who met and knew James is a better person to have been in his presence. Sending Love and Hugs to each of you! Gretchen and Shawn

I met James when I started working at Alpine. I was office manager, got the hare brained idea to start estimating flooring. I realized it was super hard sometimes I had no idea what I was looking at not mention I am really bad at math. James was a kind and patient teacher wouldn’t let me give up. When he left to pursue other opportunities we remained friends. He gave me many opportunities to bid and complete many jobs for JL Hardy. The craziest was a Ross in Az. Overnight someone or many someone’s stole a truckload of vct. Hardy family my heart goes out to you during this difficult time I pray blessed memories will bring you peace and comfort. 💜💜💜 Diane

We are heartbroken about the loss of our dear friend James but we also feel so fortunate to have had James and Carmen in our life for so many years. We’ve had some great adventures together and those memories of our fun times together will always be with us. Carmen our thoughts are with you, we are sending our love to you and your family.

I was very saddened to hear of Jame’s passing. While he is in a better place, the community is truly diminished by his passing. I first met James in 1993. At the time, he was a Project Manager Big D Construction. I was the Asset Manager for the family that owned one of the largest shopping centers in the Salt Lake County that needed a complete face lift and reconfiguration. James was straightforward, always prepared, knew how to sequence work efficiently, and brought the project in on time and on budget. Eventually, James formed his own company and put his considerable skills to good purpose. We did a dozen or more transactions per year for the next couple of decades through either a bidding process or a negotiated “not to exceed” structure. In all of those transactions he and his team were on time, on budget, and never created or left unresolved a problem with a retailer. He dealt as easily with the big national retailers, who are always sophisticated and difficult to please, as he did with the local firms. James understood what “commercial quality” meant and delivered it consistently. I will never forget the day when we were doing a project that included demolishing a large theater. He had a D-9 Cat on the job. It was the culmination of a long effort for a new project that we had both worked very hard to make happen He showed me the fundamentals to operate the D-9. Then he got off and took photos while I plowed through the walls. Cathartic- fun moment. We had a good laugh when he gave me the photos. On a personal level, James was always well measured and pleasant to work with. He had an enjoyable sense of humor and made the processes he directed transparent and predictable. Anyone that can deliver on time and on budget consistently over a decades long period of transactions and do it with a smile on his face while building lasting relationships with clients, owners, and sub-contractors is going to be successful. And that is what James was – likeable, successful, and trustworthy. James legacy includes his family, his good example in the community, the friendships he created over the years, and the hundreds of high quality commercial projects that he and his teams completed. All of us who knew James will miss him. Jemes, I will see you on the other side.

Well here's to I man I though would never die. Such a good and fun man. I only got to know a small part of his triathlon racing life, and workouts at BAM and a few shared swimming workouts at the rec center. He made it all fun, and then there was Carmen who made it even funner (is that a word?) We send our love, prayers, hugs, smiles and all the good will we can muster to send your way. James was the best. He will always be missed. God bless all of you.

Sincere condolences & prayers of comfort from Jim & Renee Green

Carmen and family - sending big hugs and condolences for peace to comfort this enormous loss in your lives. I met Jim and Carmen at the pool. They were training for Ironman races and soon after I began my Ironman journey as well. C & J were always good fun at the pool and Jim’s smile would light up the room. He freely shared good advice always and strategies of the races he had already accomplished. I remember well racing Boise 70.3 with Jim and his brother and the ride on the bus to the swim and then at the end on the grass recounting our races. I’ll never forget a small gesture that he gave to my family was to borrow an extension ladder to paint our vaulted ceilings. To this day I rarely walk in that room and not think of that kind gesture. It was his everyday kindness but to us it was huge. His whole aura was kindness, fun and adventure ♥️ Will miss you my friend. I’m sure you’re chasing some epic adventure as I write this. Go get ‘em and God bless 🤩👏👏👏