Ned Ray Bartlett

Ned Ray Bartlett

1948 - 2026

Ned Ray Bartlett, of Panama City, FL, passed away peacefully in his home on Jan. 21, 2026. He was born to Michael "Moe" and Minnie (Mickenaloff) Bartlett on July 24, 1948 in Chicago, IL. He devoted his life to the care of animals and will be remembered as a loving husband, dedicated father and a source of humor, knowledge and selflessness to all those blessed to know him, personally and professionally. His storied life and career took him to many places he loved, with a fondness for the Hawaiian Islands, which he and his wife Jo Ellen Bartlett (nee Ingram) traveled to extensively. His final days in Panama City, FL returned him to the oceans he loved.

Ned spent over 45 years as a veterinarian, with his studies beginning in Mexico and taking him through to states including Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida, relishing every chance to travel for work to destinations new to him. His career as a veterinarian was a very unorthodox tale: rather than begin courses in the United States which posed many difficulties, namely financially, he chose to learn Spanish, move to El Paso, TX where he would receive a degree in veterinary medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, eventually

earning his licenses and degrees in the United States where he had his own practice for over 30 years in Winthrop Harbor, IL called "Harbor Animal Hospital". His reputation in the community became monumental and in addition to owning & operating his clinic, which saw unprecedented growth and success, he would go on to spend a large part of his time working with Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL on their animal medicine programs and finished his career at Parkway Animal Hospital in Panama City, FL where, although he was the "new kid on the block", he was welcomed into the community and became something of an instant legend in the workplace.

Beyond his milestones he achieved as an accomplished doctor of veterinary medicine,he had numerous passions which he would share with his family, friends and staff. He was a gifted musician, playing guitar, harmonica and the French horn, as well as owning an accordion, but his skill with the latter could best be described as a work in progress ;-) He was a wonderful coffee roaster as his wife Jo Ellen had the privilege of confirming on a daily basis and in the time since moving to Florida, he and his family gathered as frequently as possible to cook increasingly challenging and delightful new dishes, and although his recipes were eclectic, he had a knack for Neopolitan-style pizzas, 1960's-style "smashburgers" and his 'bananas foster" dessert.

Ned is preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother Larry Bartlett and sister Judith Benner (nee Bartlett) and her husband Ralph Benner. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Jo Ellen Bartlett and his two sons, Michael Aaron(Jamila) and Daniel Edward as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and people of all backgrounds whose lives will forever be greater because of his friendship and the examples he set. While many people may have underestimated him at first because of his physical size, his heart and mind had no limits or bounds.

A small, private service for the immediate family members will be held and in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, ASPCA and your local animal shelter. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.kentforestlawn.com and the family encourages those who knew him to continue to regale one another with the tales of Ned, who we all loved and will miss dearly.