Carl Henry Hartley Sr.

Carl Henry Hartley, Sr. died Tuesday, October 13th, 2015, at a local hospital. Born May 5, 1928 in State Line, MS, he was the son of Wiley and Ethel (Hovatter) Hartley. Mr. Hartley had five brothers and three sisters, all of whom predeceased him. He often expressed his astonishment at being the last one living of them all. He was married for 54 years to Louise Miller Hartley, who died in 2007. Survivors are his sons, Carl, Jr. (Carmelita), and William Thomas, along with grandchildren, Christopher and Rachael Hartley and Joshua (Alicia) Reding, and great-grandchildren Mason and Ava Reding. Mr. Hartley is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and other family members, and his beloved Dachshund, Lucy. A member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Hartley fudged his age and managed, at age 17, to join the Air Force. He served in both the European and Japanese theatres, and was a flight engineer and AP maintenance technician. Although he rarely spoke of it, he flew numerous missions in the Berlin airlift and also flew B29 bombers. After leaving the Air Force, Mr. Hartley used the GI Bill to attend Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, where he earned a Bachelor's degree. He worked at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, AL, until its closure in the mid-1960's, then transferred to Warner-Robbins Air Force Base in Warner Robbins, GA, where he worked until he retired. After his retirement, he moved the family to Agricola, MS. He later joined TESCO, an engineering and consulting firm, where he served as Vice-President until his second retirement. A quiet life did not suit Mr. Hartley, and he could always be found repairing things or executing his latest design idea. A 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, Mr. Hartley was also a member of Agricola Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 20th, 2015 at Pinecrest Funeral Home in Mobile, AL. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with the graveside service at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Ted Hartley, LC Hartley, Ronnie Miller, William Tyler May, Joshua Reding, Mike Hartley, Jimmy Robbins, and Chris Richardson. The family will appreciate memorials made to the SPCA or your local no-kill animal shelter, or St. Jude's Hospital.