Javante "Jay" Thornton Riccio Hardeman's Obituary
Javante "Jay" Riccio Hardeman entered this world on August 13, 1995. He was a very sick baby who spent his first 11 months in LeBonheur Children's Hospital, where his Terri Mom was his primary nurse. The team of doctors and nurses there saved his life on more than one occasion. He was a life-long "frequent flyer" there and we will always be grateful for them. Terri and her partner, Mary Riccio, fell in love with Jay and brought him home for the first time on July 17, 1996 ("Gotcha Day"). From that time until he passed away, he brought great joy to everyone he encountered. His smile was constant and infectious. He never met a stranger.
He was deaf, but had a cochlear implant and loved to sign ASL to his friends, but also loved that he could hear and speak. He loved cars, especially Chargers, Challengers, Lambos, Ferraris, and old trucks. He loved to shop and buy for others as well as for himself. He loved music from rap to Johnny Cash. He loved movies such as Fast and Furious and Hocus Pocus II which was the last movie he saw. He loved TV particularly cop shows and medical dramas as well as his favorite "Call the Midwife".
Some of his accomplishments were he was a member of Deaf Drama Club at White Station High School, he was on Project Search Lebonheur, and he was employee of the month. He attended Sea Isle Elementary, Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, White Station Elementary, White Station Middle, and White Station High School.
He loved his husky-shepherd dog, Jenny and she loved him dearly. He loved his family and always looked forward to every holiday. He loved to laugh and joke and loved making his family and friends laugh. He never complained during his many surgeries and hospitalizations and endured it with his trademark smile.
He was a flirt and loved pretty girls. He longed to be married and have children. During our monthly trips to Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California he never complained except for one thing. Each trip, midway during the flight, he would type a note on his phone and show it to me. It always said "my ass hurts".
Jay was preceded in death by his grandfather James R. Hardeman, his uncle Jimmy Hardeman, his grandmother Gina Riccio, and his grandfather Joe Riccio.
He is survived by his mothers Terri Hardeman and Mary Riccio, his beloved grandmother Frankie Hardeman, his aunt Sabrena R. Hardeman, his uncle Ric and his aunt Jessie, his cousins Ally Hardeman and Katie Hardeman, as well as many other second cousins.
Jay, our hearts hurt, but we will always be with you son. We love you and miss you. We know you are smiling and laughing and God is smiling with you. Just don't tell God your ass hurts. Always our son, always (Mommy & MomMom).
Family will receive friends and family Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. A celebration of life will begin at 1:00 PM with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.
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