John Ryall Hartman

John, also known as ‘JR’ or ‘Jack,’ depending on the season of his life, was born on February 3, 1936, to John Edward Hartman and Grace Elinor Hartman (nee Ryall) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He and his two sisters, Virginia and Susan, grew up in the country. Jack loved to ride his bike and do mischievous things like stealing milk bottles from alleys and throwing water balloons off the school balcony. He also worked with his father, who was an engineer, and Jack would help him when he went out surveying. After graduating from West Hills High School, he enlisted in the Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic.

John parlayed his education in the Air Force into a successful career in commercial fire alarm systems, eventually becoming vice president of Tele-Fire of California. He repaired and installed fire alarms in numerous buildings from Venura to San Diego and worked on President Reagan's and President Ford’s mansions. He loved to tell stories about helping Mrs. Reagan pick out a blue dress and surprising President Ford in his office as he exited a crawl space. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, Tele-Fire immediately called John to turn off many fire alarms throughout the city.

He married Ann Lee Hartman (nee Scott) in 1978, and they had one daughter, Haven Victoria, in 1980. A devoted husband and father, he taught Haven to ride horses before she could walk, and they rode all over Griffith Park throughout her childhood. Immensely supportive of Haven's modeling and acting career, he often accompanied her to auditions, waiting patiently in a corner, camera in hand.

John and Ann Lee moved to Oxnard in 1996, and once he retired in 2001, they were very active at All Saints Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Vestry, the master of keys, and could usually be found in the kitchen cooking up meals for the various occasions his wife invented to have a party.

Ann Lee passed away in 2007, and after her death, John completely reinvented himself. He moved to Big Bear, CA, changed his name to ‘JR,’ wore all black, and joined the Citizens on Patrol and Moose Lodge. He loved being a ‘COP’ and would spend hours at Nick’s Auto Shop helping Nick work on cars for the Sheriff’s Department and private citizens.

In 2021, he left his beloved mountain for a brief stopover in Palm Springs before landing again in Los Angeles. In his final years, he spent much time laughing at his grandchildren’s hijinks and crafting model cars, tanks, airplanes, and boats with his friend Albert.

He was predeceased by his father, John, his mother, Grace, his sister, Virginia, and his wife, Ann Lee. He leaves behind his daughter, Haven, son-in-law, Joseph Briscoe, granddaughters River and Goldie, his sister, Susan Maderick, and her three boys, James, Thomas, and Joseph.

Though JR was charismatic, his daughter loved to call him “Grumpy.” He quickly made friends wherever he went and treated everyone with kindness and respect. A sarcastic sense of humor sometimes got him in trouble, but he relished it. Stubborn, he fought for his life to the end. He passed away with his daughter holding his hand. He is deeply missed.

A memorial service honoring him will be held at St. Augustine by-the-Sea church in Santa Monica on September 30 at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be provided. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church in his name.