Les “Cactus” Hardesty, 73, of Owensboro, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was born in Owensboro on February 27, 1953, to the late Hugh C. and Mary Lauretta Stallings Hardesty.
Cactus served in the United States Air Force from 1975-1979. Upon his discharge, he joined his family in Nebraska, where he worked for and retired from Loup Power and Electric. Cactus will be remembered most for his quick wit and his sense of humor, which carried him through the trauma of a kidney transplant, of which he named Charlie. He’ll also be remembered for the fact that he could talk to anybody…and he always did, especially babies.
Cactus is survived by his children, Steve (Jeannette), Ben, and Melissa; two grandsons, Billy and Sam, all of Nebraska; four sisters, Donna “DJ” Mattingly, Pam Mayfield, Janice “Subie” Simpson of Owensboro and Beth (David) Adams of Hanson.
The memorial service will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with visitation from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Organ Transplant Center at University of Nebraska Medical Center, s. 42nd & Emile St., Omaha, NE 68198.
Memories and condolences for the family may be offered at www.glenncares.com