1928
James
2012
James T. Hartzog
July 19, 1928 — January 19, 2012
James T. Hartzog
Rio Hondo, TX:
Services for James T. Hartzog, 83, of Rio Hondo are scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2012, handled by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home of Harlingen.
James passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Oklahoma City after a short illness. He was born July 19, 1928, in Rio Hondo to Henry and Carolina (Kindinger) Hartzog. He graduated from Rio Hondo High School in 1946 and attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1950 with a business degree. He served in the Army during the Korean War era, and was stationed in Washington and Arizona. James was honorably discharged in 1952. Except for his time in college and military service, he was a proud lifelong resident of Rio Hondo.
He married the love of his life, Mattie (Rosie) Wade Knight, in 1952 in the Rio Hondo Community Church. He continued as an active member of this church for the rest of his life, serving on many church boards and committees.
At the age of six, James began working in the family grocery business, which was founded by his grandfather in 1909. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was owner/manager of the business, then known as Hartzog Supermarket. It was one of the oldest family-owned grocery stores in the Rio Grande Valley and, in its early beginnings, carried dry goods as well as groceries.
James was heavily involved in the community, serving as Alderman, Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor on the Rio Hondo City Council, totaling a period of almost 20 years. He was 50-year plus member of the Masonic Lodge and a past Master of the former Rio Hondo Lodge.
In his early years, James enjoyed flying single-engine aircraft and moved to motorcycle touring in his later years. He was an avid supporter of the Rio Hondo community. James was always proud that, after his retirement, the former Hartzog Supermarket building became a special education center for the Rio Hondo Public Schools and has since become the Cameron County Rio Hondo Annex.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rosie Hartzog of Rio Hondo; three children, Jim Hartzog and wife, Carol, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Donny Hartzog and wife, Lisa, of Snyder, Texas; and Carol Ann Brooks and husband Lowell, of Allen, Texas; seven grandchildren, Amanda Whitmire and husband Adam of San Antonio; Kayla Hartzog of Snyder; Samantha Brooks and Ethan Brooks, both of Austin; Elizabeth and Hannah Hartzog of Edmond, and Addie Brooks of Allen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Henry Hartzog Jr.
Visitation hours will be noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. The family will present from 5 p.m. t0 7 p.m.
Graveside services will be 9 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 at Mont Meta Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of the Resurrection memorial service at 10:30 a.m. that day at Rio Hondo Community Church, 122 Miramar, with Chris Hall officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the memorial fund at Rio Hondo Community Church.
Rio Hondo, TX:
Services for James T. Hartzog, 83, of Rio Hondo are scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2012, handled by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home of Harlingen.
James passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Oklahoma City after a short illness. He was born July 19, 1928, in Rio Hondo to Henry and Carolina (Kindinger) Hartzog. He graduated from Rio Hondo High School in 1946 and attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1950 with a business degree. He served in the Army during the Korean War era, and was stationed in Washington and Arizona. James was honorably discharged in 1952. Except for his time in college and military service, he was a proud lifelong resident of Rio Hondo.
He married the love of his life, Mattie (Rosie) Wade Knight, in 1952 in the Rio Hondo Community Church. He continued as an active member of this church for the rest of his life, serving on many church boards and committees.
At the age of six, James began working in the family grocery business, which was founded by his grandfather in 1909. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was owner/manager of the business, then known as Hartzog Supermarket. It was one of the oldest family-owned grocery stores in the Rio Grande Valley and, in its early beginnings, carried dry goods as well as groceries.
James was heavily involved in the community, serving as Alderman, Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor on the Rio Hondo City Council, totaling a period of almost 20 years. He was 50-year plus member of the Masonic Lodge and a past Master of the former Rio Hondo Lodge.
In his early years, James enjoyed flying single-engine aircraft and moved to motorcycle touring in his later years. He was an avid supporter of the Rio Hondo community. James was always proud that, after his retirement, the former Hartzog Supermarket building became a special education center for the Rio Hondo Public Schools and has since become the Cameron County Rio Hondo Annex.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rosie Hartzog of Rio Hondo; three children, Jim Hartzog and wife, Carol, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Donny Hartzog and wife, Lisa, of Snyder, Texas; and Carol Ann Brooks and husband Lowell, of Allen, Texas; seven grandchildren, Amanda Whitmire and husband Adam of San Antonio; Kayla Hartzog of Snyder; Samantha Brooks and Ethan Brooks, both of Austin; Elizabeth and Hannah Hartzog of Edmond, and Addie Brooks of Allen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Henry Hartzog Jr.
Visitation hours will be noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. The family will present from 5 p.m. t0 7 p.m.
Graveside services will be 9 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 at Mont Meta Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of the Resurrection memorial service at 10:30 a.m. that day at Rio Hondo Community Church, 122 Miramar, with Chris Hall officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the memorial fund at Rio Hondo Community Church.
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