Jack Ettinger Hartman

Jack was born to Jennye and Benedict Hartman in Wadesboro, North Carolina, and was raised in Brunswick, Georgia, where he swam in the rivers, played ball at Howard Coffin Park and lifeguarded on Jekyll Island. Jack attended Glynn Academy (Class of 1960) where he met the love of his life, Susan Spence Ward. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University. In Athens, Jack was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Gridiron.

Jack joined the Trust Company Bank in 1965 as a member of the Management Training Program. He spent his entire forty-two year career at “Trust Company”, later SunTrust and now Truist. He was a correspondent banker, then ran the commercial real estate group for the entire bank before being called home to serve as President and CEO of SunTrust Bank of Southeast Georgia. Jack served in the United States Air Force Reserves and was called to active duty during the Pueblo Crisis.

While living in Roswell, Jack served as an Elder at Roswell Presbyterian Church, President of the Roswell High School Booster Club, Board Member of the Metropolitan YMCA (during this period Camp High Harbour on Lake Burton was purchased from Barbara and Frank Inman), Board Member of Goodwill Industries, Capital Fund campaign of the Salvation Army, City of Roswell Master Plan Committee, and he coached baseball for many years. Jack also actively participated in Boy Scouts with his son and Indian Princesses with his daughters.

After returning to Glynn County, he served as Chairman or President of the following: the Brunswick Country Club, Habitat for Humanity, Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority, Brunswick and Glynn County Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Georgia Community College Foundation, YWCA Foundation, Okefenokee Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Escorts, and United Way. Jack also served on the boards of the Terry College Alumni Board, St. Simons Land Trust, and Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation. He was a founding director of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation. Jack was proud to carry the Olympic torch through the streets of Brunswick for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. For his community service, Jack Hartman Boulevard was named in his honor. Jack was the Don of the Godfather’s Table at the BCC.

Jack co-chaired capital campaigns to build a new sanctuary at Roswell Presbyterian Church, to renovate the sanctuary at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, to build the Windolf Residence to house children at Safe Harbor, and to build the AW Jones Heritage Center and renovate the Keeper’s Dwelling at the St. Simons lighthouse.

At St. Simons Presbyterian Church, Jack served as an Elder and Trustee. He volunteered to serve meals at Manna House.

Jack was a member of the Brunswick Country Club, Cherokee Town and Country Club, Sea Island Club, and Ocean Forest.

Jack and Susan traveled the world together and with their family. Adventures included driving across the country in a camper with a Willie Nelson cassette, sailing the Greek Isles, swimming in the Galapagos, visiting the Pyramids in Egypt, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, traversing glaciers in Alaska, boat rides at Lake Burton, touring Red Square in Moscow, rafting the Snake River, attending shows in London, entering the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, family camping on Cumberland Island, drinking wines in Tuscany and viewing art in Paris.

Jack was a man who lived his faith, loved his family, built up his community, drank great wine and cheered loudly for his Georgia Bulldogs. He included in every prayer, “help us to be mindful of the needs of others.” He was one of the good guys.

Jack is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of over sixty years, Susan Ward Hartman, son Ben (Leslie), daughters Kate Barr (Nathan) and Liz Wood (Ryan); Seven grandchildren, Hill, Curry, Spence, Carly, Max, Catherine and James. He is preceded in death by his father, Benedict Hartman, his mother, Jennye Creech Hartman and his brother, Marc Hartman.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at St. Simons Presbyterian Church on August 29th at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Simons Presbyterian Church or Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County Ga.,

or Jack would love it if you help someone who could use a hand.