James M. Hartley Jr.

HARTLEY, James Madison, age 87, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away at home surrounded by his family on May 3, 2010, after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Leak Memory Chapel with visitation for family and friends one hour prior to the service. Pastor Larry Armstrong will officiate the service, with burial following in Greenwood Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Eastern Hills Baptist, Henry McInnis Sunday School Class and retired IRS employees. Pallbearers will be Troy Tucker, Drew Hartley, Kenny Hartley, Dale Gandy, James Barber and Mike Vinson. Mr. Hartley was preceded in death by his beloved son, Andy Hartley. He was the son of the late James Madison Hartley, Sr. and Lucy Warmack Hartley. He was born in Eton, Georgia, and moved to Alabama at three months of age. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Myrlee Edmonds Hartley, daughters Susan Hartley Tucker, Montgomery, and Debra Hartley Dawson, Prattville. He is also survived by daughter-in-law, Connie Dowdy Hartley, Birmingham. He leaves to cherish his memories his grandchildren, Adam Troy Tucker, Candra Dee Tucker (Christopher Davis), Kristie Dawson Gandy (Dale Gandy), Julie Dawn Dawson, Dale Dawson, and Drew Hartley. Mr. Hartley is also survived by four great grandchildren Kayla Gandy, Dawson Gandy, Brandon Tucker, and Brittany Tucker. In addition, he is survived by nephews, Kenny Hartley, Ron Creel, George Edwards and a niece Lynn Giddings. Mr. Hartley proudly served his country in the 320th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in WWII. He participated in 17 bombing missions flown over France in a B-26 Marauder, serving as waist gunner and bombardier in 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during combat by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Upon his discharge, he graduated from Marion Military Institute and the University of Alabama (1950). In 1966, he graduated from Jones Law School. He was employed by the US Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division for 30 years. After retirement, he worked for the Alabama Securities Commission for 12 years. He was a member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church and the Henry McInnis Sunday School class. Mr. Hartley was a loving and compassionate husband, friend, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed on this earth. The family extends a special thanks to the compassionate staff at Hospice of Montgomery. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hartley's name to the Eastern Hills Baptist Church Building Fund or Hospice of Montgomery. Leak-Memory Chapel Directing www.leak-mc.com