John Othello Hartley

John Othello Hartley grew up in Birmingham, AL where he played football and other sports for West End High School and graduated in 1963. He then graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After college, he enlisted in the Army, became an officer, and was a highly decorated soldier serving two tours as a platoon leader in the 2nd of the 5th First Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Achieving the rank of Captain, he served as a company commander at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and later joined the reserves with the 87th MAC in Birmingham. For many years he worked as an insurance broker in Birmingham focusing on life, health, and disability planning, and taught related training courses through Samford University. He enjoyed the outdoors, watching football whenever possible, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sarah Antoinette Dozier Hartley, sons John Dozier Hartley and Andrew Leigh Hartley, both of Auburn, AL, daughter Elizabeth Antoinette Hartley Patrick, son-in-law Sean Patrick, and grandchild Milo Patrick of Atlanta, GA, as well as his brothers Arthur Lee Hartley of Selma, AL, Charles Hartley of Birmingham, AL, Dean Hartley of Ashland, KY, and sister Alyson Ellerin of Boulder, CO.

There will be a memorial service at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL, at 2:00pm on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.southernheritagefunerals.com for the Hartley family.