John Hartman

John Clay Hartman, 84, lost his 5 ½ year battle against lung cancer on May 9, with his wife Margaret by his side. John was born in Miami, but he spent most of his youth in Jacksonville. He attended Ortega Elementary, Lake Shore Junior High, and Lee High School. He also attended Florida Military School in Deland, FL for two years. After graduating from Lee in 1960, he attended Campbell College, now Campbell University in North Carolina before transferring to Florida State University where he became a 'Noles fan for life. He made many lifelong friends along the way. These friends have been immensely helpful in the last few months of his life, taking him to various events so see "the guys".

As an adult, he worked for a number of businesses in several different cities, particularly Tampa, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. Ultimately, he ended up back in Jacksonville, working for Bank of America as an IT network project manager, until his retirement. His lifelong love of cars led him to become a volunteer for the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance for years, and he loved to travel to the races, especially IMSA events. Margaret and he also shared a mutual love of wine and travel, visiting multiple areas of the US, and making three trips to Europe during their 23 years of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester J. and Margaret Whitice Hartman, his brother Robert L. Hartman, his daughter Meredith Brandon Hartman, his niece Allison Hartman, and his beloved white German Shepherds, Cotton and Napa. He is survived by his wife Margaret Carroll Hartman, his nephews Robert, Michael (Kathleen) and Stephen and niece Mandy Hartman. He also has several surviving cousins and an assortment of beloved friends from different aspects and periods of his life.

Margaret would like to thank all of those who have been supportive in the last few months, especially Margaret Love and Tim Carter, David Nussbaum, Charles Kori, Lee Anderson, and the wonderful staff at Community Hospice - St. Vincent's Riverside. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Community Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice. Details of a memorial service will be announced in the near future. In accordance with his wishes, John will be cremated and his ashes scattered in San Francisco Bay at a later date.

The Memorial Service will be Monday, June 23rd, at the downtown Jacksonville Ruth's Chris at 1201 Riverplace Blvd., in the Crown Plaza Hotel on the Southbank, very near the south end of the Main Street Bridge, on the east side. Parking is available in the hotel garage below the building at no charge. The doors open at 11, with the actual memorial service starting sometime around 11:30. Appetizers will be provided, as well as wine and soft drinks. Please, business casual. I hope you can attend, but I certainly understand if you cannot. Thank you again for all of your care and concern for both of us over the years, and particularly the last few months.