Leslie Eugene “Gene” Hartzog went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, January 23, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s. He was able to remain at home with the love of his life, wife Shirley, caring for him daily with the utmost love from her heart. Gene was born December 21, 1934 in Conroe, TX. He was a 1953 graduate of Cedar Bayou High School and later on graduated from Lee College. Gene was in the U. S. Army, 82nd Airborne. While in the army, he played football and also was on the Pistol Team. Gene was a member of Goose Creek Masonic Lodge, and a long-time faithful member of Cedar Bayou Baptist Church. Gene enjoyed traveling, reading suspense novels and was a true history buff. Traveling often included taking his family on vacation to historic locations across the United States.
After his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his wife of 65 ½ years, his children and especially his grandchildren. He was the best husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle that anyone could ever have. He will be truly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Leslie Barnes Hartzog and Alma Lee Hartzog, son Leslie Eugene Hartzog, Jr., daughter-in-law Risa Hartzog and brother Eljuan Hartzog.
Gene is survived by his devoted wife Shirley Hartzog, son Larry Hartzog, daughter Gretchen Knowles, grandchildren Jaci and Dean Brennan, Nathan Knowles, Emmalee and Bryan Mills, great-grandchildren Bryan and Dylan Mills, brother and sister in law Bobbie and Maurice Baker, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Also, Gene’s family expresses a deep appreciation for the care and kindness that Visiting Angels and Harbor Hospice provided to him throughout his illness.
Visitation will be held at Earthman Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521 on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Cedar Bayou Baptist Church, 3116 N. Alexander Drive, Baytown, TX 77520 on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with committal service to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Officiating will be Dr. Mark Broussard and Dr. E. Richard Steel. Serving as pallbearers are Nathan Knowles, Dean Brennan, Vernon Jones, Bryan Mills, Ray Tassin and Pete Jimenez.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbaytown.com for the HARTZOG family.
