Mr. John Thomas "J.T." Hartzog

John Thomas (“J.T.”) Hartzog, age 96, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016 at his home in Ridgeland, Mississippi, after a long and very fulfilling life. He was born June 26, 1920 in Lawrence, County, Mississippi, and resided there until he joined the Army. J.T. served his Country during WWII in the United States Army. He was a Sgt. with the 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion. While serving his Country he received three Purple Hearts and was awarded The Bronze Star. Upon being discharged, he settled in Jackson, Mississippi where he worked for several years with Speed Mechanical on various projects in the Mississippi area such as The Gulf Coast Mall, The Singing River Hospital, and the campus of Ole Miss. When Hinds General Hospital opened in Jackson in the 70’s he was hired to be Head of Engineering, Maintenance and Security and retired from Hinds General after serving in this capacity for 25 years. He also served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Hinds County, Mississippi. Besides the love for his family, he had a great love for animals and the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed working in the yard. He was a member of the United Commercial Travelers, a past Captain of the Drum Corp unit of the Wahabi Shriners, a past Worthy Patron of Jackson Chapter No.47-Order of the Eastern Star, and a Mason belonging to the James P. Myers Masonic Lodge. J.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Waters Hartzog, his parents, Tom and Etta Hartzog, brothers, Herbert Hartzog and Herman Hartzog, and sisters, Myrtis Griswell, Frances Drake, and Vera Mae Jordan. He is survived by his daughters, Charlotte Hartzog and Barbara Hartzog, brother, Gene Hartzog, sister Dot Means (C.H.), and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. His survivors would not be complete without including his “Partner In Crime” and Little Fella”-Otis-“OT” (a Himalayan Seal point Cat). The family would like to extend special heartfelt thanks to J.T.’s daily caregivers Tammi Owens, Dolly Moore, Keyla Rials, and John Anderson and to the staff of Hospice Ministries-Ridgeland, Mississippi, for the exceptional care, support, encouragement and overall understanding they extended during his illness. Chancellor Funeral Home, 7225 Siwell Road, Byram, Mississippi will be handling the arrangements. Visitation will be 5-8pm Tuesday, December 6, 2016 and 10-11am Wednesday, December 7, 2016. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Chapel of Chancellor Funeral Home at 11am Wednesday, December 6, 2016. Interment will be at Lakewood Memorial Park South, 430 McCluer Road, Jackson, Mississippi, following the service.