Dr. James Wylie Hartzell, II

Clive

James W. Hartzell, 70, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, also at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the services.

James was born May 16, 1944 in Ottumwa, Iowa the son of James Wylie Hartzell and Grace Miller Hartzell. He was the owner and president of Vision Clinic, P.C. and a past President of the Iowa Optometric Association, the Iowa board of Optometry Examiners and Prevent Blindness Iowa. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, National Eye Research Foundation, Heart of America Contact Lens Society, and International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry.

James loved the game of handball and playing with his fellow Hinder Club members and competitors around the country. He held local, regional, national and international handball championship titles. He also enjoyed relaxing with his family and friends at West Okoboji.

James will be deeply missed by his wife of forty years, Deborah Hartzell; children, Amanda (Mike) Tyler, James (Katey) Hartzell, Jennifer (Matt) Calnan, and Worth Hartzell; his mother, Grace Hartzell; brothers, John and Bruce Hartzell; and his sister, Susan Hartzell. James was a devoted grandfather and loved his eight grandchildren, Meredith (18), Michael (14), Emma (14), Molly (9), Maxwell (7), Fredrick (4), Samuel (2), and Addison (7 months). He was preceded in death by his father, Naval Commander James W. Hartzell.

Dr. Hartzell was admired and respected by his patients, his colleagues and was adored by his family and friends. James was a devoted husband, a loving and generous father and grandfather, and a very good friend to all. The absence he leaves will be sorely felt by those he loved and those who loved him. He will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.

Memorial contributions received will be directed to the Hinder Club Foundation at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register from Dec. 13 to Dec. 14, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for James Hartzell

36 Entries

September 30, 2015

I just called to set up my appointment and found out about Doc Hartzell. So sad - such a great guy who cared deeply about this patients. I will miss him. Lucy Fey

Ann Buck

June 4, 2015

I called into the optometry office to change my upcoming appt. and was told of Dr.Hartzell's passing in December. I am so saddened to hear this. I had known Dr. Hartzell for over 25 years when I first met him when he was on the Iowa Optometry Board for the State and I was a secretary. He was a true friend and so compassionate and caring. He will be truly missed by all. I will never forget him. God Bless his family.

Pam Giles

May 7, 2015

As I was getting ready to call Dr. Hartzell's office to schedule my annual eye exam, I was thinking that I didn't know what I would do if Dr. Hartzell ever retired. I was so VERY stunned to find out that he passed away this past December! I agree with other's sentiments. Even though I only saw him once a year for nearly 23 years, he always made me feel like we were close friends. He always had a smile and was willing to laugh at my jokes. He's the best doctor I've ever known. Such a great role model for anyone in a caring profession, or for anyone in general. I am so very sorry that I missed the visitation and the funeral. His family was blessed to have such a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. I am so sorry that he is no longer with you, but I know he left a great legacy for everyone who knew him.

May 6, 2015

I recently received my post card reminder that I am due for an exam next week. Knowing that my friend Jim will not be there saddens me. I was not his first patient, but I was not far from it. He was a genuinely good man, and someone I always enjoyed seeing. Tim Eakins

April 23, 2015

I just found out today about Dr. Hartzell's passing, and I am stunned. I have been a patient of his for 40 years, I would guess. What a absolute gem!! Kind, friendly, easy to talk to. Even if a person didn't see him but once or twice a year, he always made you feel like we had just visited yesterday. To his family, I am sorry for your loss, and I will miss him greatly.

March 31, 2015

Very sorry to hear about Dr. Hartzell. He saved one of my eyes once when I had metal shaving in it and he was available even though it was a weekend. Long-time patient Dan Kennedy

March 9, 2015

Here it is in March and we are just learning of Dr. Hartzell's death... our family is stunned and greatly saddened. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and grieve with them. He was our trusted physician as well as a good friend over many years of treatment and care. What a unique gentleman who left the world a much better place.

E Smith

February 23, 2015

Found out today that the best optometrist in Iowa passed. He will be missed. Very sad day.

Tari Brelsford

January 29, 2015

I was so sad to learn of the sudden death of Dr. Hartzell.

James Jacobsen

January 27, 2015

It is late January and we only now learned of this very sad loss-having lost our daughter in November we are well ramped up for mourning and will share our good thoughts and a few tears on his behalf.

Elaine Brostrom

December 24, 2014

When I called the office today I was so saddened to learn of Dr Hartzell's passing. Dr Hartzell was always so kind and compassionate and I always trusted him to provide state of the art eye care. And his legacy lives on. Despite the very busy day on this day before Chirstmas his staff worked me in saying "Dr Hartzell would have wanted you to be seen today" so that the small object that had gotten into my eye several days prior and was irritating it could be removed. Dr Hartzell will be greatly missed and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Roxanne Purdy

December 23, 2014

I am so saddened and sorry for your family's loss. He was the role model best ever and an awesome dr. May God grant you all peace and strength.

Mary Ann Saluri

December 21, 2014

I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Dr. Hartzell. I have been a patient of his for over 30 years and many of my family members were treated by Dr. Hartzell. He was very kind and very competent and always had a smile on his face. I will continue to pray for him and your family.

Tim and Michele Minard

December 19, 2014

Deb,
I was so surprised and sorry to hear about the untimely passing of Jim. During our time as your neighbor i was always impressed with his passion for our lake, his compassion for those around him (including us as neighbors), and his zest for life. It seems whether it was his profession, his sport, or his personal/family life Jim did everything with full vigor! You are in our thoughts and prayers

Nancy Delpierre

December 17, 2014

Dr. Hartzell's family and the world of Optometry has lost a very skilled, kind, caring man. He was my optometrist while working for DMPS and since after. He always had a handball game awaiting him. My condolences to his family.

Matt McLaughlin

December 17, 2014

So very sorry to hear about this. The Tallcorn Tournament, and may around the nation for that matter, will be a little bit emptier going forward. What a great man Jim was. He will be missed.

Bob Meeley

December 15, 2014

i wish to add my condolences to the Hartzell family, and as a patient express my sadness at his loss. I will remember his dry humor and factual manner when diagnosing, and his ability to connect so kindly. our family will miss his care.

Dave and Linda Hansen

December 14, 2014

Dear Deb and family,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Jim was a friend at the U of Iowa, Illinois College of Optometry and excellent, dedicated professional colleague in Des Moines. I had the utmost respect for his caring clinical skills and his stewardship for the eye care profession on behalf of the public. We all will miss his keen and purposeful talents, but most of all his friendship. Please know that Jim touched many in extremely positive situations.
We wish we could be in Des Moines to be with you. May God be with you and the family.
Dave and Linda

Bob Ewald

December 14, 2014

World class athlete, consummate gentleman, friend to all.

Diane Thacker

December 14, 2014

So sorry to hear. I just saw him two weeks ago. He helped my son Robert with a machine he was wondering about. Had a wonderful way with kiddos. He had doctored my eyes for many years too. Greatly missed. Prayers for family.

Charl Rohde

December 14, 2014

I saw him for over 30 years. He was a friend and my doctor. In the Fall he always gave me a chestnut. I still have a couple of them. Always thoughtful and kind. Would do anything for you. I will miss him greatly.

Robyn Keck

December 13, 2014

He was my eye dr for many years. So sorry for your loss and for the loss of those that had the privilege to know him.

Terry Petersen

December 13, 2014

One of the best, God bless

December 13, 2014

Dear Deb and family - I was like so many stunned to learn of Jim's. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jim was a special and compassionate person who will be deeply missed in many places, but most of all in your lives. May he rest in peace.

Jan & Charlie Whitney

December 13, 2014

what a shock Dr. Hartzell has taken care of our eye needs for 30 years. will be greatly missed.

Max Knauer

December 13, 2014

Thanks be to the Hartzell family for having held the hearth and love to send this kind and caring soul out into our world, every day, able and willing to give more each day than he was likely ever promised in return. We treasure the years of our children together, starting at Hanawalt School and the decades of professional care and kindness. A gentle and caring soul, even assuring and guiding me through some of the uncertainties connected with my own lymphoma and treatment and connecting so well with my athletic wife as both shared each their own quests and achievements, he's been a soul enriching others with his touch, his life and his love.

Yvonne Ceretti

December 13, 2014

Dr. Hartzell has cared for three generations of my family...my Mom, myself, and my children Chelsea and Caleb. He was a kind and compassionate doctor and I am thankful for all the years we were blessed with his care. May God bless his family...

Christine Sinclair

December 13, 2014

I had the privilege of working for Dr. Hartzell for 15 years. He was a truly kind and generous human being. His compassion was beyond measure. His passing will leave a void that cannot be filled. Godspeed Dr. H. You will be greatly missed.

Larry & Pat Davis

December 13, 2014

What a shock to note the passing of our dear optometrist for many years. We just saw him a few weeks ago and will miss him greatly. Our prayers are for peace and comfort for his family.

2011 Tallcorn

Ned Jorgensen

December 13, 2014

Dr. Hartzell will be greatly missed in the handball community where he was a superb competitor and champion, handball playing partner, contributor, referee, and a dear friend.

Chris Bechtel

December 13, 2014

Doctor Hartzell was my Optometrist for many years (since the 1970's). He was a kind,caring,and outstanding doctor. He will be missed by all who knew him. My sincerely sympathy to his entire family.

Jeff and Mary Lou McDowell

December 13, 2014

Our sincerest sympathy to your family in Dr. Hartzell's passing. He was our optometrist for many years and we always appreciated his humor and his professionalism. So sorry for your loss.

Tammy Sonksen Arbuckle

December 13, 2014

Prayers of peace to the Hartzell family. Dr. Hartzell hired my mom as an optometric assistant in the early 1980s when we moved to Johnston and she always thought a lot of him. My sympathies.

Evelyn Bisanti

December 13, 2014

Like everyone I was so shocked to see Dr Hartzell had passed away. I just saw him a couple weeks ago, I've been seeing him for years. A great man who will be missed.

Nick and Joan Hove

December 13, 2014

How we will miss Dr. Hartzell. He was so professional and yet so warm and personable. Our deepest sympathy to all his family.

Mary Daily and Lenny Lange

December 12, 2014

We have valued Dr. Hartzell as our optometrist of unusually sharp skills and a contemporary with whom we aged. He was a man who earned a great deal of respect, professionally, athletically and personally. We shall miss him, but have been fortunate to know him.

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