John Paul Hartin

John Paul Hartin passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 11, 2024 at the age of 92 ½. John was a compassionate, Christian man who was well known in the community as a storyteller, volunteer, wood worker and engineer. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 12, 1932 to Fred & Agnes Hartin. His mother died when he was young and he and his father spent time between Knoxville, where his father was a teacher, and Illinois at the family farm until he graduated from Knoxville High School in 1949. John attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and later taught engineering classes there. While teaching, he met his wife, Faye, and they married in 1955. He served proudly but briefly for the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. He and Faye moved to Tullahoma, Tennessee in 1961 when he began working at Arnold Engineering Development Center. John worked for various contractors there until he was appointed general manager of Sverdrup's contract with NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in 1989. He retired in 1994 having worked for 33 years. After retirement, he and Faye traveled as much as they could until Faye passed away in 2002. John remarried in 2003 to Maribeth Colvin and together they enjoyed volunteering in the local community and traveling to many places, foreign and domestic, for enjoyment and doing mission work. John was a charter member of King's Cross Church and was instrumental in building the actual church building. He was a faithful servant and taught Bible Study, went on many mission trips, and served on numerous committees all of his adult life. He was an alumni supporter for The University of Tennessee in several capacities. He also served on Belmont University Board of Trustees. He spent the last 20 years researching his genealogy and loved sharing stories about his family roots. He was a member of Tullahoma Noon Rotary Club and Tennessee Valley Woodworkers Association, where he enjoyed turning bowls, especially to donate to local charity's auctions. He also loved to volunteer and served many in the community through Habitat For Humanity, and the Tullahoma Nazarene Family Food Ministry, among others. Along with his parents and Faye, John was preceded in death by his grandson, John Glenn Merz. He is survived by his wife, Maribeth and beloved dogs, Skeeter & Belle, his daughter, Martha (Dan) Merz, Tullahoma, grandson Seth (Holly) Merz, Charlotte, NC, and great grandsons, Colton John & Hunter William Merz, Deltona, FL. John also had many special friends who he met through his church, community and professional life. Thank you to Compassus hospice for their wisdom, care, and love for John and their support to the family. Visitation will be at King's Cross Church, 222 Turkey Creek Rd, Tullahoma, on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 10:00 - 12:00 with a service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kings Cross Building Fund, 222 Turkey Creek Rd, Tullahoma, TN 37388 or Tullahoma Nazarene Family Food Ministry, 662 Sarvis Branch Rd, Estill Springs, TN 37330. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.