Thomas "Tom" Dodson Hardeman

Thomas Dodson Hardeman (Tom) passed away peacefully on June 16, 2021 at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana. Tom was born on January 12, 1934 to Ruth and William P. Hardeman, Sr. in Shreveport, LA and moved to Lake Charles at a young age. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Law, J.D. 1957; Louisiana Law Review, associate Editor 1956-1957, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Alpha Phi. Tom practiced his entire career with Liskow & Lewis as a managing partner specializing in Energy and Natural Resources Law. What began as a single group of 10 lawyers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, when he started, grew into nearly 140 lawyers in New Orleans, Lafayette and Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. Tom was instrumental in bringing the firm to Lafayette as its manager. He served as a mentor to many young lawyers, oilmen, and landmen throughout his career. He was a regular speaker with the Mineral Law Institute, Louisiana State Bar Association, American Association of Professional Landmen, and was recognized often as a leader in the development of Louisiana’s mineral law, while serving oil and gas clients along the Gulf Coast. At Tom’s personal office in the Lafayette Oil Center, he was known for turning the first lights on in the Oil Center every morning, arriving to work at 4:30am so that he could get home early to spend time with his wife Lu and family. He loved duck hunting twice a week north of White Lake, and loved tennis, scuba diving throughout the Caribbean Islands, dining at LaFonda every Friday, fly fishing in Wyoming and Montana, photography, snow skiing, bass fishing, woodworking and wood carving, Major League Baseball, specialized cooking, and spending time in Destin, Florida with family. Tom was a member and attended Asbury United Methodist Church. Left to cherish Tom Hardeman’s memory is his loving wife of 64 years, Mrs. Lu Hardeman, of Lafayette - originally of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Lisa Lynne Kemp (Bill) of Birmingham; daughter, Laura Leigh Powell (Tom) of Ft. Worth and Lafayette, his sister Martha Sanders of Houston; grandchildren, Leigh Gallo Hunt (Guy) of Birmingham, Thomas Charles Gallo of Birmingham, Clayton Thomas Powell of Austin, Cameron Hardeman Powell of Austin, and Colleen Ellen Powell of Dallas; and his great granddaughter Evelyn June Hunt. He was preceded in death by his brother William P. “Billy” Hardeman, Jr., as well as his parents. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Leslie Carrere his home health nurse for her excellent medical care provided throughout the year and for her kindness and assistance to the family. Tom Hardeman was a fine man, a great husband and father, and a superb lawyer. He had impeccable character, and was blessed with a kind and warm disposition. He will be missed by many. Tom’s memorial service will be held Monday, June 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Asbury United Methodist Church. Reverend John Cannon, Senior Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, will conduct the memorial service. Personal condolences may be sent to the Hardeman family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Thomas "Tom" Dodson Hardeman

January 12, 1934 - June 16, 2021