John D. Hartsog

John Dennis Hartsog, 87, of Beckley, WV, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015 in Beckley, WV, after a long illness.
John was born April 30, 1927 at Oakhurst, WV (now MacArthur) and was the sixth son of the late Edward R. and Bessie M. Taylor Hartsog of Ashe County, NC and last of Sophia, WV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Elbert, Dale, Benjamin, Ralph and Harold Hartsog and sister Viola Hartsog StClair.
John attended Mark Twain High School and graduated from the new Sophia High School in 1945. After serving in the US Army Air Corps in Hawaii he attended Concord College where he met and married Mary Frances Anderson of Beaver, WV. After graduating from Concord in 1950, he attended West Virginia University during the summer sessions until graduating with a Master’s Degree in Education Administration in 1956. Upon graduation from Concord, John received a seventh grade teaching position at Crab Orchard Elementary School. In 1956, John became a teaching-principal at Slab Fork Elementary School and in 1960 was transferred to the principalship of the Stanaford Elementary School where he taught eighth grade part time until integration and consolidation made it a full time principalship. He was transferred to Central Elementary School in Beckley as principal in 1965. Central had a staff of sixteen at the time, but increased to a staff of more than forty and an enrollment of over six-hundred with integrations, federal programs, and Kindergarten. In 1975, John became Assistant Superintendent of Raleigh County Schools and continued in that position until he retired in 1989.
As an Elementary Teacher and Principal John was involved in many activities in school and community. He coached and encouraged basketball and softball teams, taught and led folk and square dancing, and was a volunteer 4-H Club leader in school, county and state activities. He was president of the Raleigh County and West Virginia Elementary Principal’s Associations, Chief of the West Virginia 4-H All Stars for two years, and served as Governor of the West Virginia District of Civitans International. John was active in many community, county, and state activities and would assist with church, 4-H, Conservation, Science, and Youth Opportunity camps on the local, state and national levels. He also was involved in many state and national activities of 4-H, West Virginia Elementary Principals, National Elementary Principals, West Virginia Education Association, Superintendents’ Association, and Civitans. Since retirement in 1989 his passions have included golf and bowling.
John has been a very active member of the United Methodist Church, first in Sophia and then First UMC of Beckley since 1964. He held many different lay positions and participated in the life of the church as long as his health would allow.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Mary Frances Anderson Hartsog, sons Gary M. Hartsog and wife Ellen of Beckley, E. Kent Hartsog and wife Rosanne of Hurricane, WV and daughter Susan Hartsog Combs and husband Bobby of Beckley and Marion, VA; six grandchildren: Stephanie Renee Hartsog of Glen Jean, Tesla Hartsog Lewis and Christopher of Morgantown, Lt. John J. Hartsog and Emma of Annapolis, MD, Travis M. and Jennifer Hartsog of Charleston, WV, LtJG Matthew Hartsog and financee’ Deanna LeBlanc of Virginia Beach, VA, Mary Beth Hardy and Kenneth Bolyard of Morgantown, WV and Joshua Hardy of Beckley; four great-grandchildren (Jack Hartsog, Sadie Hartsog, Henry Hartsog, Willa Lewis) and brothers Jarrell Hartsog of Ghent, James Hartsog of Beckley, Buford Hartsog of MacArthur and sister Jewell Hartsog Graybeal of Beckley along with nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, many, many friends, associates, 4-H’ers and former students.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2015, at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel. Celebration of Life will be 11 AM Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, 217 South Heber Street, Beckley, with Pastors Rick Waller and Dan Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park, Harper Road, Beckley. Friends may visit with the family one (1) hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
J. J. Hartsog, Travis Hartsog, Joshua Hardy, Christopher Lewis, Ken Bolyard and Bob Combs will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory may be sent to the First United Methodist Church Trustees’ Fund, 217 South Heber Street, Beckley, WV or Raleigh County 4-H Camp Fund (checks payable to Raleigh Co. Youth Camp Association) mailed to 125 Tilson Dr., Daniels, WV 25832
The Hartsog family greatly appreciates all the prayers, visits and good wishes from everyone during John’s illness. Especially the kind care and consideration from the Medical and Support Staff at the Beckley Veteran’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
Arrangements are by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.