This post is part of an ongoing Black History Month series written by Marcus Harden, a pillar of the South Seattle community and a truly unsung hero, as he honors the living legacy of Black history in his neighborhood and recognizes the people who are shaping the future.

By Marcus Harden

#BlackHistoryToday6

I deeply believe that your life has to be a reflection of your values and beliefs. That’s truly the only “legacy” we have. It's what living every day is about.

One of the idols who exemplified and taught me that powerful lesson was Rev. David Hardy, Sr.

Veteran. Pastor. Resident mechanic. Assistant coach of any and every team (official or not). Wonderful father. Husband. Uncle. Etc.

He’s not with us in the flesh, but he lives every single day. If you were an adult who needed a godly and yet savvy/humorous/honest ear and/or word, he’s your guy.

If you were in the band or playing a sport and needed another person to cheer you on, he’s your guy.

Or if you were a young PeoplesNinja-in-training who didn’t know that “God” and the people that served him could be funny, could be honest, could talk baseball and football, and along with his equally awesome wife could let some neighborhood kid hang around his family and be treated as his own, embodying his values without ever needing to speak them, then, well, that’s history.

One of the greatest honors of my life was being asked to be a part of his home-going. Even in leaving us, he taught me one more lesson: Live who you are and honor those you admire while and when you can.

I’m a minimalist, but I still have that pair of gloves today as one physical reminder of the embodiment of who he is to me and I’m sure so many others, especially on those vaunted South End blocks of Bangor and Ryan.

That and many other reasons are why David Hardy, Sr., is living history, today.