John T. Hartley

Born in Jacksonville, Florida on March 4, 1930.
Departed in Melbourne, Florida on June 5, 2018

John T. “Jack” Hartley (age 88), long-time Indialantic resident, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 5, in Melbourne, Florida. Jack was born March 4, 1930, in Jacksonville, FL, to Ruth Strickland Hartley and John Hartley. He grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1947. He received his engineering degree from Auburn University where he met and later married his beloved wife Martha Ard Hartley.
After graduating from Auburn in 1951, Jack served as a naval communications officer during the Korean conflict. Upon leaving the service, he returned to Auburn University where he pursued a master’s degree in electrical engineering and taught courses at the university.
While at Auburn, Jack and Martha’s first son, John T. Hartley III, was born. In 1956, Jack made the decision to leave teaching and join the small startup company, Radiation, Inc., in Melbourne, FL. A few years later, Jack and Martha welcomed into their family their daughter, Melissa Hartley Stahel, and later their second son, William S. Hartley.
At Radiation, Jack’s career began in research but subsequently involved business development and program management. He became vice president and general manager of the largest electronics operating unit after Radiation was acquired by Harris-Intertype Corporation. In 1976, Jack was named executive vice president and was subsequently promoted to president and chief operating officer in 1985. He became chairman and chief executive officer in 1986, serving in this capacity until his retirement in 1995. Jack remained on the Harris Corporation Board of Directors until 2002 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the AXA/Equitable Life Insurance Corporation and of the McGraw-Hill Company.
Throughout his career, Jack served in numerous national leadership positions, including chairing the National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors and the U.S. Defense Advisory Policy Committee on Trade. He received many honors, including Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1987 from Auburn, election to the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, Florida Industrialist of the Year, the 1992 Financial World CEO of the Year, an honorary doctorate of philosophy degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1994, and an honorary doctorate of science degree from Auburn University in 1996. In 1994, he was awarded the United States Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the DOD’s highest civilian award. President Reagan appointed Jack to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee in 1998.
Jack was a great believer in the value of education. Through the John T. and Martha A. Hartley Foundation, he supported the engineering program of Auburn University and created a scholarship program that continues to benefit students at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Jack was a life-long avid golfer, highlighted by an impressive achievement of eight holes-in-one. In retirement he was able to spend more time pursing his passions of raising orchids, winning at bridge, and being a loving “Poppy” and role model to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His final years were enriched by his relationship with his fiancée Carol Cassidy of Jacksonville, FL. They enjoyed traveling throughout the world together as well as spending time with family and friends at their homes in Indialantic, Jacksonville, and Highlands, NC.
Jack was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Martha. He is survived by his three children, John T. Hartley III (Kim) of Huntsville, AL, Melissa Hartley Stahel (Tad) of Atlanta, GA, and William S. Hartley of Melbourne Beach, FL, as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be a held at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Melbourne, FL, on Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Florida Institute of Technology or the Health First Foundation.
Brownlie Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne is serving the family, (321) 723-2345. www.brownliemaxwell.com

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Jennifer Bezek from Micco, FL wrote on November 16, 2018:
Jack's many contributions will be remembered. What a great man.
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