Services celebrating the Homegoing of Mr. Melvin James Hardrick of 4202 Walis Place who passed away on February 9, 2010, will be held Saturday, February 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Re-Birth Baptist Church, 1924 E. Comanche Avenue, Reverend Dr. Zachery S. Hudson, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the Orange Hill Cemetery. Born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Horace Lee Hardrick, Sr. and Allene Hardrick in Byromville, Georgia on June 8, 1938, Mr. Hardrick moved to Tampa in 1959. Mr. Hardrick accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of several quartets in and around Tampa. He was a loyal employee of the City of Tampa for over 40 years. Upon retiring in 1998, he received numerous awards and plaques for dedicated service to the residents of Tampa. One of his greatest past times was manning the grill during family get togethers or preparing dishes for his friends and co-workers. When Melvin was cooking, someone was always standing around the grill waiting on the finished product. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred, three brothers Horace Jr., Orange, and Otis. He leaves to mourn his passing a loving and devoted wife of 43 years Marilouise Hardrick; two daughters, Diane Butler-Hall and husband George, DeAndrae Willis and husband Tyrone; two sons D'Vonn Hardrick and wife Uhura, and Marlon Butler of Tampa; 21 grandchildren Vonndrea Blackmon and her mother (Casandra), Jalyn and Tyrin Hardrick, Demerick Johnson and his mother (Shannon), Terrell Moore and his mother Thomanique Pickens and her mother Brenda, D'Vontai and Raven Winn and husband, their mother Jacqueling, Xi'Anna and DVonneisha Hardrick and their mother, Ilona, Latalatis Edwards and her mother Valarie, Rashun Pressley and his mother Lisa, Clarence Mathews, Juan Saffold, Ragan Willis (Erick Blue), Courtney Willis (Tyrone), Octavia Butler, Luther D'Vonn, Michel & Marlon Green and their mother, Lynette; 21 greatgrand; two sisters-in-laws Alice Bland and husband, Eddie, and Elizabeth Hardrick. He leaves two sisters Emma Price and husband Roger, and Dorthy Delmac. He also leaves to mourn his memory 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren along with a host of other sorrowing relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The viewing will be held at Aikens Funeral Home Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet Saturday at the graveside.