— Danny Hardin moved to Muskogee from Porter in 1990 specifically to enjoy one aspect of “big-city” life.

“I tell people I moved here so I could order a pizza by phone,” Hardin said.

Despite thinking Muskogee was too big, the pizza convenience won out, and he’s been sold on Muskogee ever since.

“I thought I’d never learn all the streets,” Hardin said. “But I like it here. It’s not as big as I thought it was.”

His wit is his best attribute. He doesn’t take himself seriously, and if he knows you, he won’t hesitate to make you the target of a good-natured barb.

Hardin was born with hydrocephalus, more commonly called water on the brain. It’s a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. He has shunts in his head, which drains the brain fluid to relieve pressure on the skull.

“It’s no big deal, I was just born that way,” Hardin said.

He said children are more apt to ask him “what’s wrong with him,” than adults.

“I was in the bathroom and a little boy came out and asked me ‘What happened?’” Hardin said. “I told him ‘Sometimes babies aren’t born with two straight feet. It doesn’t make us any different. I use this walker to straighten my feet.’ And he said, ‘Oh, OK,’ and that was that.”

Sports fills a need

Sports have always played a major part in Danny Hardin’s life.

“I was born with a disability that prevented me from playing, so I like to watch other people play,” Hardin said. “I like to see them push themselves like I’ve had to push myself.”

He also helped coach the softball team The Rebels under Paul Gregory and Tom White, both deceased. In honor of those two, his son’s team’s name is The Rebels.

“(Coaching) is a wonderful way to give of yourself,” Hardin said.

From his involvement in coaching, Hardin got involved with the Green Country Girls Softball Association about the time the planning for the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex was under way.

“And here we are years later, and I have a little boy who plays out there,” Hardin said. “It’s definitely been good for the city.”

When someone once asked him how many games a year Hardin saw, he was stumped. So he started keeping track.

“One year I saw 763 games,” Hardin said. “I don’t get to see that many anymore.”

That’s because now the most important games are the ones involving his son, Jackson, who turns 7 this month.



Becoming a father

Hardin is a single parent, who fills the role with fervor.

“Jackson is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Hardin said.

He said being a single parent is hard but doable.

“You can do it, as long as you love your child more than you love yourself,” Hardin said.

He beams with pride when talking about Jackson, who received a character award a few months ago at school.

“Having shunts in my head allow me to stay alive,” Hardin said. “But having Jackson allows me to live. I’m in a constant state of amazement around him.”

Hardin said Jackson’s six-week early — but healthy — arrival, had him a little nervous.

“I asked Jack Harrison for advice, and he said he couldn’t explain it, but he said, ‘As soon as you see his face, you’ll know,’” Hardin said. “And he was right. I put his finger in his hand and told him: ‘Son, my name is Daddy, and you have a job to do. Your job is to learn, grow and play every day. And when you’re 20, I’ll readjust your job.’ And that’s what he does every day.”

He says he has a strong support system from his family and church.

“Muskogee is really a good place to raise your family,” Hardin said. “All you see is the negative, but when you get under the surface, there’s lots of good things.”



Mr. Popularity

For years, Hardin was a regular at just about every sporting event in the area as a spectator, talking to just about everyone of the athletes and their parents and just enjoying sports for sports. From Porum to Checotah and Bacone to Connors, it didn’t matter what sport or where, Hardin would watch.

“I never got to play, so I never had a chance to get it out of my system,” Hardin said. “Some of these kids are in their 30s, and now I have the good fortune of watching their kids play.”

Because of the number of sports events Hardin has attended through the years, he is well-known in the area.

While working at his job at Energy Armor in Arrowhead Mall, there are not 15 minutes that Hardin isn’t asking someone how they’re doing, or someone isn’t asking the same of him.

“If I could sing, I’d be like Elvis,” Hardin said. “When I go somewhere that’s more than two hours away and nobody knows me, it feels weird. I feel out of place.”

Though Muskogee has changed quite a bit in the 23 years since he moved to Muskogee, Hardin hasn’t, he said.

“I’m happy people are happy to see me and humbled that I’ve impacted their lives in some way,” Hardin said. “When I moved to Muskogee, I don’t think I knew two people. Now, it’d be hard to find two people I don’t know.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE AN OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE?

“I moved here in 1990 from Porter.”



WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME?

“Attend live sporting events and raise my son, Jackson, who is almost 7. I am also the treasurer of the Ben Franklin Science Academy PTO, and vice chairman of the Johnson-O’Malley for Muskogee Public Schools.”



HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING IN MUSKOGEE?

“I work at Energy Armor in Arrowhead Mall selling negative ion products, which help with arthritis pain and improves your sleep. We also have home fragrance products and Bee Beautiful products from Louisiana.”



WHAT WOULD MAKE MUSKOGEE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?

“If we spent time outside to better our neighborhoods by knowing our neighbors like we did when I was younger.”



IS THERE AN OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE YOU ADMIRE?

“Jack Harrison. I named my son after Jack because he is kind, considerate, giving, knowledgeable and the definition of a friend.”



WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU SINCE YOU HAVE LIVED IN MUSKOGEE?

“My son Jackson. He fills my life with love, laughs and fun. He’s also going to pick my nursing home someday.”



HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP MUSKOGEE IN 25 WORDS OR LESS?

“It’s a nice town with friendly people. I love my church, Timothy Baptist, taking Jackson to Honor Heights, and raising my son here.”

Meet Danny Hardin

AGE: 45.

HOMETOWN: Porter.

CAREER: Sales at Energy Armor in Arrowhead Mall.

EDUCATION: Porter High School class of 1984.

FAMILY: Son Jackson, almost 7.

CHURCH: Timothy Baptist.

HOBBIES: Watching sports, anything Jackson does.