Gerald Hartman

Gerald ("Jerry") Hartman peacefully passed away in Austin, Texas, on December 20, 2024 after 10 years living with Alzheimer's.

Jerry, a beloved husband, father, brother, son and friend, was born to Orlena Savage and Monroe Arthur Hartman on October 9, 1937 in San Angelo, Texas. He was just out of diapers when his daddy got a job with the Soil Conservation Service and the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas.

Jerry attended Lily B. Clayton Elementary School, Dagget Junior High and Paschal High School. Since he was tall, he played football and basketball at Daggett but contact sports didn't interest him so he chose to play basketball at Paschal. During these years in Fort Worth, Jerry was active in Boy Scout Troop 30, attending Philmont Scout Camp and earning his Eagle Scout Award.

After high school, Jerry went to The University of Texas and pledged Kappa Sig, where he formed lifelong friendships. He spent a total of 5 fun years in Austin, with a six-month break for active duty in the Army Reserves. (Jerry, "At about the end of this period at UT, I met and dated the cutest sorority girl ever." Camilla, "Actually, we met several years earlier, you just didn't fall for me until OU weekend 1960.")

After college, Jerry got a job in International Harvester's truck division, despite knowing pretty much nothing about truck parts. When he realized he could no longer keep up the facade, Jerry quickly finished his BBA in Accounting at TCU night school and passed the CPA exam. Jerry's brother-in-law Everett Roberts, no doubt on the encouragement of his sister Cay, helped Jerry land his first accounting job at Leatherwood and Ward.

In 1969, Leatherwood & Ward sent Jerry to open the Dallas office. When Leatherwood & Ward was acquired by Coopers and Lybrand shortly after the move to Dallas, Jerry found himself promoted to partner of one of the largest CPA firms in the country. In 1981, after years of working in downtown Dallas, Jerry was lured back to Fort Worth to work for Colonial Financial Corporation where he served in multiple positions including President of Forth Worth Mortgage Corporation, President of Colonial Savings and Loan, and Senior Vice-President of the parent company, Colonial Financial Corporation. Hartman served 2 years as a much sought after lecturer at UT- Dallas. He was a member of the accounting advisory councils of both Texas Tech University and UT-Dallas and was the Chairman of the Savings and Loan Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. After retiring from Colonial, Jerry moved on to serve as President and CEO of Southwest Pacific Bank, and President, COO and Director of Beal Bank.

More important to Jerry than his successful career was his home life. Jerry and Camilla, married on February 2nd, 1962 at FUMC Sulphur Springs and remained a formidable couple for the next 62 years. Jerry and Camilla had 2 children, Melissa and Laura, and saw them both graduate from The University of Texas, have their own professional successes and start families of their own. Jerry took full advantage of the YMCA father-daughter clubs, participating in campouts and activities, eventually landing in a leadership position. Beginning in the early 60's, Jerry and the "girls" would spend summers, weekends and holidays at their Elberta cabin, cooking out, playing cards, drinking beer with family friends. In earlier years he renovated and repaired the cabin; later years his time was spent quietly sitting on the screened porch watching the lake. Jerry and Camilla loved to travel and their annual family trip to Colorado was always the highlight of the year. Jerry was a doting Grandfather, spending countless hours reading stories, watching construction workers and attending all the recitals, performances and games.

By far, Jerry's greatest achievement is the legacy he leaves to those who knew him. Jerry was universally loved, respected, and admired. Family, friends, co-workers and even casual acquaintances credit him with positively impacting their lives and serving as a role model. He was endearingly mischievous, unfailingly polite, a true gentleman, and consistently played down his own accomplishments while elevating others. He will be forever missed and always loved.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Orlena and Monroe Hartman; beloved sister, Carlyn Hartman Roberts; and nephew James Lester Thomas.

Jerry's love lives on in his devoted wife, Camilla Thomas Hartman, daughters Melissa Hartman and Laura Hartman Clark and husband Larry Clark; grandchildren, Clark Hartman, Olivia Elroz, JT Clark; brothers in law, Everett Roberts and Jimmy Thomas; beloved nieces, Caryl Cochrum and husband Brett, Susan Pike and husband Steve, and Allison Thomas Beckham and husband Adam, and all their families.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:30 am at First United Methodist Church, Sulphur Springs with a lunch afterwards at Elberta Lake Club. Jerry was not a fan of formal attire, despite wearing a suit and tie most days of his career. We invite those attending the service who also prefer comfortable attire to wear their favorite t-shirt to honor him.

For those wishing, donations may be made in the name of Gerald Hartman to the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice Austin, or First United Methodist Church, Sulphur Springs.

"The memory of you with those you left behind is perhaps your ultimate immortality."