Jerry Don Hartman, 52, passed away at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas on December 15, 2013 after a shocking diagnosis of advanced cancer in November. He was born October 20, 1961 in Springfield, Missouri to James Lavern and Joanna Mae Hartman who both preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were grandparents Clint and Bess (Gardner) Hartman, Hazel Hartman, Aubrey and Ruth (Popejoy) Carter, and Arden Greer.
Jerry was saved at a young age and continued his strong faith throughout his life. Following graduation from Marshfield High School, Jerry served in the United States Air Force from 1982-1986. He worked in Telecommunications for Empire District Electric Company from 1986 till 1998. He joined Sho-Me Power’s Engineering Department in 1998 as Special Projects Administrator. Jerry received his B.S. Degree in Communications from Drury University in 2001, and his M.B.A. from Webster University in 2004. Jerry was promoted to his current position of Manager of Administrative Services in 2007 and oversaw Safety, Purchasing, Warehouse, Fleet, Right of Way, Information Technology, and Security. Jerry served as a board member of Marshfield Community Housing until his passing. One of Jerry’s most anticipated events was the annual Legislative Fish Fry in Jefferson City. During his illness, Jerry received an overwhelming amount of support from his work family and associates which greatly comforted both he and his family.
Jerry was proud to live on a Century Farm passed on to him by his parents. He loved taking friends and family on Gator™ rides, hosting bonfires and 4th of July celebrations, and just sitting or fishing on the dock he built watching the sunset. He was an avid sports fan. You could always find him on the sidelines watching his daughters cheer or his son playing soccer. Jenna and Nate remember his constant support well as he always stood in the “quiet zone” of the 400m run, coaching them through the rough stretch. Jerry’s children had no greater supporter as he cheered them on through everything in their lives. Jerry also took great pride and pleasure in the hours he spent playing with his grandson, Maddox.
Jerry began his lifelong love story with his wife, Karen, in the spring of 1980. Appropriately, they met while practicing one of their shared sports on the track of Marshfield High. From that day, Jerry and Karen started their 33-year romance. They were married in 1983 and moved to Homestead AFB in Florida. They returned to Missouri in 1986. They enjoyed supporting any Missouri sports team and attended countless games – always bringing along friends and family. They also shared a love of the Rocky Mountains and made many trips to Colorado. Karen was always by Jerry’s side and felt it a privilege to be next to him at his passing.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Karen (Sweets); daughter, Jessica Crawford and her husband Brian of Marshfield, Missouri; daughter, Jenna Gonzales, her husband Ryan and their son, Maddox of Columbus AFB, Mississippi; and son, Nate of the home; brother, Jim Hartman and his wife Sue; brother, Jack Hartman and his wife Jennifer; sister-in-law, Cathy Henry and her husband, Kenny; sister-in-law, Cindy Oberlander and her husband Chris; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jerry will be remembered by not only family, but friends and his work family, for always being there with a smile, a hug and a word of encouragement. What a huge blessing and wonderful friend he has been to all that knew him and now he is receiving an incredible greeting in Heaven.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2013 in the Marshfield First Baptist Church, under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Marshfield. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Marshfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the church.
In lieu of flowers, Jerry requested donations to help end melanoma at www.cancermoonshots.org, an MD Anderson research organization in care of Fraker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, Mo 65706.