James W. Hartzell

" s i m p l I c i t y is the essence of beauty, a reducer of stress, the secret of true contentment in this big complicated world of ours. Sadly, too many people simply don't get it." – James W. Hartzell James William Hartzell – Remarkable yet humble Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend and Human… and accomplished advertising copywriter, creator of Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet. Jim was a man who saw beauty in the every day, in the simplest of things and who lived his life savoring the moment, taking his time and soaking it in. "I see more beauty in a day than some people see in a lifetime." He deeply cherished his family, shared his creative talents with the world through his matchless use of words as an advertising writer, took great pleasure in his tree-lined Grosse Pointe neighborhood and the calming beauty of the lake he could reach by foot and found comfort in the walls of his beloved, old home overflowing with books, tastefully adorned with art, and softly filled with music. To have known Jim was to have known the rarest of minds, a surprising wit, an unmatched heart, rock-solid integrity and a simple approach to life. Surrounded by his family at his home, Jim left his tired body peacefully and soared heavenward on September 11, 2010. "I was a Christmas present presented to William Harold Hartzell and Jeanette Bonnot Hartzell in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 25, 1931. Trouble is, nobody thought to gift wrap me. I was a naked and gooey and funny looking Christmas present. But they kept me nonetheless. And named me Jimmy." As a toddler, Jim lived briefly in Ohio and his family settled in Michigan in 1935 where he lived the rest of his life with no strong desire to ever live anywhere else. Jim's childhood and life were enriched when his only sibling and baby sister, Sally Ann, was born in 1938. He graduated from DeLaSalle Collegiate, The University of Detroit and served in the United States Army stationed at the White House during the Eisenhower administration. He began his career in advertising as a Film Sorter at Ross Roy and used his creative genius to establish himself as a highly respected, accomplished copywriter, writing ads for a living for over 30 years. He retired from Campbell Ewald as Vice President in 1987 - though he never embraced the title of "Vice President"… he just loved to write. Though there were numerous effective ad campaigns created at his hand, the most memorable and recognizable was for Chevrolet in the 1970's: "One time while being chauffeured someplace, it is said that Henry Ford II heard 'Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet' on the radio. It is said that he said, 'I wish WE had one of those." Though highly respected and recognized in his chosen field, Jim's proudest accomplishment was his family. He was the adoring father of Tom, Karen, Paul, Jean and Mary. He quietly supported the marriages of all and loved as his own Jodi, Bob, Patti, Mike, Jim and Eugene. From those unions came those who completed his world and made his heart burst with a grandfather's love: Emily, Val, Ian, Brayden, Elizabeth, Allison, Shane and Sarah. Within these people, Jim planted his heart. Through the challenges, the rewards, the laughter and the pain, he loved incomparably and unconditionally – a trait which will forever be the legacy of this dad and grandpa. Many others were also privileged to call Jim "family", including numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, a great-niece and great-nephews. Jim had his eye and his heart on all the right things. Not material or grandiose, not technological or loud, not greedy or needy, he truly lived a simple life, immersing himself in simple beauty, and appreciating the simplest and purest of human connections. He counted his blessings every day, talked to God regularly and never took a second of his life and all of its gifts for granted. He gave to the causes he believed in, shied away from accolades, always tried to do the right thing. Honest. Humble. Genuine. Genius. Funny. Gentle. Romantic. Plain. Simple. The Best. Visitation: Tuesday, September 14, 2010, from 1-8 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084 (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads) Funeral Service: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 11:00 AM at the funeral home, with Reverend Mark Prill officiating Interment: Resurrection Cemetery, in Clinton Township, Michigan Because Jim has said, "I feel closer to God in nature than I do in church", memorials may be made to the giver's charity of choice that aims at preserving the beauty of nature.