Raymond Julius Hardee was born on April 3, 1938, in Kerrville, Texas. He is the third oldest child of James and Lottie Sykes Hardee. Four of the six children are still living.

Raymond attended Doyle School where he was a member of the high school's baseball, football, and basketball teams. He graduated from Doyle High School in 1956. He married Billie Gaines on August 20, 1958 and was married 57 years before her death. They have three children, Julius, Todd and Lateesha.

Raymond started his career in insurance and retired after 20 years. He had a passion for working with special needs students and started his second career with Kerrville Independent School District. He assisted the special needs students with assignments and employment. Raymond was also a school bus driver until he retired the second time.

Raymond is an active member of First United Methodist Church. He serves on the board for Salvation Army KROC

Center, Raphael Clinic and Hill Country District of Ordained Ministry.

Raymond enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

He played 2nd base when he was a sophomore in high school. Then went to center field. Joe Lewis his best friend were playing a game when scouts were there, One was from the Colt .45 team which became the Astros the other was from Baltimore Orioles. Raymond played for the Colt .45 team. 

The All stars played games all over Texas. Raymond said not bragging but the team won most of the games. Towns like Harper, Camp Stanley, Boerne, Helotes, Comfort, Fredericksburg and a white team from Kerrville named Kerrville Kats.

for more information see https://www.hccommunityjournal.com/

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1040141/