Dr. James Ferrell Hartin, 84, of Sapulpa, OK, passed away on August 22, 2022, as his work here on Earth was done. He passed of natural causes and was surrounded by his loving family. He is proceeded in death by his Father Haskell Hartin, Mother Charla Imes Russell, and Brother Haskell Hartin Jr. He is survived by his Wife Louise Hartin; Brother David Hartin; Son Gary Hartin; Daughters Susan Hartin Ashbaugh with husband Tyler Ashbaugh and Cindy Hartin, Brother-In-Law Chief Jordan, and Sister-In-Law Ruby Jordan; grandchildren: Heather Hartin, Megan Hartin, Austin Hall, Wyatt Hall, Dillon Hall, Jadan Ashbaugh, Ashley Ashbaugh, Ashlen Ashbaugh, and Ashla Ashbaugh; nephews: Andy Hartin and Jason Hartin; cousins: John Imes, Sharon Macha, Ellen Sides, Dr. Norman Imes, Tabitha Cole, and Mark Imes.
Dr. Hartin was born November 27. 1937 in Madill, OK, the son of Haskell and Charla Hartin. He graduated from Pryor High School in 1956 and went on to earn a doctorate in Optometry from the University of Houston. Dr. Hartin passed the state board exam in both Texas and Oklahoma where he held simultaneous licenses for over 50 years serving many communities both small and large in both states.
Dr. Hartin joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1973, where he served as an Air Force Optometrist for 22 years until being honorably discharged in 1995 with a final rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military career took him to many states and countries including Japan, Germany, Spain and England.
Dr. Hartin married Louise Jordan on June 23, 1959, at First Baptist Church of Pryor. Dr. & Mrs. Hartin were high school sweethearts and were married to one another for over 63 years. Mrs. Hartin worked alongside Dr. Hartin as his office manager in his Optometric practice every day until he retired due to health complications at the young age of 79. The secret to a long and loving marriage according to Dr. Hartin is that he always got to say the last two words of any argument they ever had… “Yes Ma’am.”
Together Dr. & Mrs. Hartin were blessed by God to have raised 3 children, a son and two daughters and were continued to be blessed by God to have 9 grandchildren. Family was very important to Dr. Hartin and that is why one of his favorite past times included taking family trips to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and any historical markers he could convince his loving wife to stop at along the way.
Dr. Hartin persevered to survive numerous life-threatening conditions during the final 25 years of his life ranging from a massive heart attack, a near fatal car crash, multiple open-heart surgeries and most recently a traumatic brain injury. During recovery from all these conditions, Dr. Hartin remained a steadfast believer in God. A favorite saying/song of Dr. Hartin’s during this time was “It Is No Secret What God Can Do.” Through his love for Christ, Dr. Hartin enriched every life he touched.
Visitation will be held August 28, 2022, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Smith Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held August 29 at 11:00am at Smith Funeral Home, with Kevin Farmer of Sapulpa officiating. Committal will be held at Green Hills Cemetery under the Veteran’s Pavilion. Military Honors will be conducted by the Air Force.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
