Larry “Alex” Hardway, 41, of Gassaway, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.  He was born on August 4, 1979 to Larry Eugene Hardway of Gassaway, and the late Jane Doddrill Hardway Conrad.

Alex was a 1997 graduate of Braxton County High School where he excelled in the Football and Wrestling programs.   “Grease” as he was affectionately called by his friends and team mates, was a member of the 1996 Football team whose gridiron efforts secured the football programs first playoff birth in the school’s history.  He also achieved a Fourth Place finish during the WV State Wrestling tournament in the 215 weight class during his Senior Year.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching movies, riding four wheelers, rooting for the Mountaineers and Braxton County athletic teams, hanging out with his family and friends.  He especially loved to spend time with his daughters, Erin and Emma and step-children, Nathaniel and Summer, and nephews, Dalton and Lyle.

Alex, a former guard at the central Regional Jail, was a heavy equipment operator in the International Union of Operating Engineers #147, employed by Ryan Inc. Central and a member of the Masonic Lodge #133, Gassaway.

Known affectionately as “My pal big Al”, Alex had a heart of gold, was a light to those around him and a joy to be around.  He had the inherent ability to always make people laugh and was often the life of the party.  He was loved by many “like a brother.”

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ginny Canter; father, Larry E. Hardway (Heather);  brother, Anthony “Tony” Lyle Hardway; twin daughters, Erin Nicole Hardway and Emma Brooke Hardway; step-daughter, Summer Douglas; step-son, Nathaniel Canter; grandmother, Genevieve L. Sands Hardway; aunt, Susan D. Hardway; and nephews, Anthony Dalton Hardway and Lyle Reed Hardway of Bridgeport.

Funeral services to celebrate Alex’s life are 1 P.M. Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Gassaway Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Garavaglia officiating.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church.  Interment with Masonic Rites will be in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.  Roach Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hardway family.

In lieu of flowers the family humbly requests donations be made to Emma and Erin Hardways’s College Fund.  Make checks payable to Larry E. Hardway, 1330 Little Otter Road, Gassaway, WV 26624 or Sharon Mace, 601 Braxton Street, Gassaway, WV 26624.

Words of comfort and fond memories will be extended to family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.