Wilburn "Sporty" Lamar Hartsfield, Jr.

“Sporty,” as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, was born June 11, 1938, in Tallahassee, Florida, to Clara Copeland Durrance and Wilburn Lamar Hartsfield, Sr. Sporty attended the old Caroline Brevard Elementary School. He graduated from Leon High School in 1957, where he pole vaulted, long jumped, and served as vice president of his junior and senior classes. Sporty was actively involved in his community as both a Sea Scout and an Eagle Scout.

Sporty attended the University of Florida before returning home to graduate from Florida State University, where he was a brother in Sigma Chi fraternity and ran track. Afterwards, he attended Stetson Law School in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was also in the Army Reserves, where he would tell you he learned to use a typewriter.

Sporty did a lot of fishing and hunting with his Uncle Keith and his cousin, Lynn Hodge. Having always loved the white sandy beaches of North Florida, he designed and built two beach cottages on St. George Island, where he was an active member of the SGI Civic Club. He also maintained his primary residence in Havana, Florida. Recently, he purchased a home in Apalachicola to be near his daughters, Anne and Nancy. He also enjoyed world travel, with Italy being his favorite. Having an adventurous heart, he acquired a private pilot license and even bungee jumped from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in New Zealand.

Though Sporty is greatly missed, we will always remember his steadfast commitment to his family and his Savior. He is survived by two daughters, Catherine Anne (Hartsfield) Avery (Bill) and Nancy Hartsfield Clemons (Dane); six grandchildren, Danielle Spinks, Jacob Cone, Ashley Weddle, Natalie Stewart, Ryan Whitfield, and Tanner Clemons; and seven great-grandchildren, Preston Scoggins, Peyton Scoggins, Charlie Anne Stewart, Everett Stewart, Ava Weddle, Jase Whitfield, and Malachi Whitfield. He is also survived by two brothers, William Joseph Gladwin, Jr. and Mike Hartsfield; two sisters, Linda Collins and Vicki Lastowski; and numerous cousins from both the Durrance and Hartsfield families. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Laurie Hartsfield.

A celebration of Lamar's life is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida. In accordance with Lamar's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, https://fbctlh.org/give/