Gerald LeRoy Hartman

Gerald LeRoy Hartman passed away Friday, June 5, 2015 after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17 at Genesis Metro Church in Frisco, Texas. Visitation with the family will be 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Born August 14, 1935 in Dayton, Ohio Jerry was the youngest son of four children born to Marie Brinck and LeRoy Hartman. He grew up in Dayton, but moved to San Antonio with his mother to live with his oldest sister and family, where he graduated from Jefferson High School. Upon graduating high school in 1953 he attended the Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas on a basketball scholarship. After graduating, he turned down another basketball scholarship in Houston to return to Dayton to rekindle his romance with Irene Valassi.

They were married on June 30, 1957 and moved to Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Jerry worked for NCR for 18 years. Several years after they married, they became parents to Cindy followed by Cheryl almost 4 years later. Jerry was active in his church, serving in numerous leadership roles. He also was a member of the Shriners organization and participated in many events, charitable functions and social activities throughout the country including parades, camping trips and other events the Shriners are known for, based on their own description as a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.

In 1973, Jerry accepted a job with Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas. This move was influenced by several trips made with the Shriners, where they discovered some of the friendliest people in the world. After a couple years, he found a home with Xerox, where he eventually retired in 2000 after 25 years.

Jerry thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, taking annual trips to the Grand Canyon, class reunions and family gatherings across the country, regattas for his granddaughter and jump rope competitions for his grandson among many other adventures. As part of the weekly Hartman family routine, he loved having lunch on Wednesdays with Irene, Cindy and Cheryl, and as schedules permitted, grandchildren, son-in-laws and special guests. This was always followed by a happy hour gathering in the evenings.

As old age crept in, so did the aches and pains that come along with it – particularly in his hips and knees. But that didn’t stop him from anything. If there was fun to be had – he was there! Finally, in late April, he became ill with congestive heart failure, which ultimately led his doctors to discover stage 4 melanoma, which had spread to his lung. There was no viable solution to this other than to keep him comfortable with the amazing support of hospice. He chose to live out his last days at home and died a peaceful death.

Although his family and friends will miss him dearly, they will remember the many good times, talks, debates, and stories shared by all. Jerry loved to tell stories of his adventures on the road and had an amazing memory for places, roads, maps and the history related to the places he had visited. He is survived by his wife Irene Hartman, daughter Cindy Quinn, son-in-law Tim, and granddaughter Megan, daughter Cheryl Sizer, son-in-law Phill and grandson Sam. We love you and will miss you every day. God picked you out from all the rest, because He knew we’d love you the best!.

If you would like to do something to honor Jerry’s life, please consider a donation to: Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice organization.