John T. Hartley
When he was a child, Tom Hartley wanted a Red Rider BB Gun. When his father, John T. Hartley, told him that Santa might bring one for Christmas, Tom didn’t believe him. When Tom unwrapped a BB gun on Christmas morning, his father told him Santa must have brought it. Tom didn’t believe him then, either. His father then told him to look out the window. There, in the snow, were markings that resembled sled tracks. Tom’s father had made them before the children had woken up by dragging two clothesline supports behind him.
“I don’t know that he ever had an enemy,” Tom said. “He was just an all-around great guy.”
John T. Hartley, known to his friends as “T,” died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. He was 91.
Mr. Hartley was born Nov. 16, 1918, in Boone County to Andrew and Etta (Johnson) Hartley.
On June 29, 1946, he married Phyllis Backer in Columbia.
Mr. Hartley served in the 1st Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945. During that time, he served in Europe with the 35th Signal Corps Construction Battalion. He was a D-Day survivor and was among the first units to land at Omaha Beach, the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and Bridge at Remagen.
Mr. Hartley was a graduate of Hickman High School, where he was teammates with future Missouri Tigers basketball coach Bob Vanatta. He loved baseball and played on a Minor City League in Columbia. Tom said after his father died, Vanatta told Mr. Hartley’s daughter that Mr. Hartley was one of the best sportsmen he had ever met.
Mr. Hartley retired from General Telephone Services after 41 years of service.
Tom remembered Mr. Hartley as an outgoing but hard-working man who would work weekends and holidays to provide for his family. “He was one of that Great Generation,” he said.
Mr. Hartley is survived by his wife; three children, Tom Hartley, Rhonda Vanatta and Phil Hartley; six grandchildren, Van, Blake and Jarrod Vanatta, Lena Hoeflicker, Katie and Daniel Hartley; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Service will begin 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Parkade Baptist Church Building Fund, 2102 N. Garth Ave., Columbia, MO 65202-1576 or Missouri River Hospice, 1410 Heriford Road, Columbia, MO 65202.
Tributes can be posted online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
