Carl Hartzog

Carl Joined the Army Air Force at 16 yrs old; so young his parents had to give permission, on September 11, 1941. A boy solider, for sure. He was proud that he was never an army private. He became an Aircraft Mechanic and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged and meet the love of his life, Gladene, and married her in June of 1946 at First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Tx.

They first moved to Fort Worth, where Carl found work as an Aircraft Mechanic at Convair, in 1946 while Gladene was carrying her first of two children. In the following years Gladene, and Carl, began the travelling adventures that both loved.

They travelled, and lived, in numerous places in California, Colorado and at several places in Amarillo. The family, along with the family of Carl’s older brother, Harry, first moved to Alaska in 1961, in their most adventurous move yet. After Alaska, the family moved to San Antonio where Carl continued to advance in appliance and equipment sales. He was a successful businessman owning various dry-cleaning plants. Carl and Gladene were always ready to pack for the next great adventure.

These adventures included many trips, and family vacations, to Winner, South Dakota for pheasant hunting, numerous trips to Mexico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Dominican Republic. During the 1970s, their daughter Dawn was a flight attendant and sent them on a trip of a lifetime. Carl and Gladene, flew around the world and had the certificates to prove their circumnavigation!

After discovering the joys of RV Travel, Carl and Gladene, and their beloved Yorkie named Trixie, travelled thousands of miles across the US, the Great Southwest, making several trips back to Alaska to visit family, and the hundreds of friends they met in these travels. Their usual companions on many of these travel-fishing trips were Carl's brother Lew, and his wife Sally. They caught, smoked, and canned, many trout from their favorite spot: Navajo Lake in NW New Mexico. From Texas up to South Dakota, or across New Mexico to California and on to Alaska, there were few areas where these two adventurers did not have friends who'd welcome another visit. Of all the places they lived, their longest, and most loved residence, was their home of more than 20 years in Fort Worth, Tx.

Carl loved adventure and was always ready for new sights. Their daughter Dawn was able to arrange a few adventures such as a visit to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge where he enjoyed the view even though it was 800 feet above the speeding cars below! Also, for Carl and Gladene’s eightieth birthdays, arranged their first cruise and later that year to Club Med. Carl even grew a goatee for the occasion. He danced the night away with Gladene and granddaughter Jessica.

At age 94, Carl went on his last trip. Dawn took him to see Lew and Sally. Carl was the life of the party, telling delightful stories. It was his last chance to see his dear brother Lew.

Carl spent his last years in the company of his little dog buddy, a 5 lb chihuahua that brought great joy to his life daily.

Carl will be greatly missed by his son Calvin, of Fort Worth and his daughter Dawn Longoria, of Santa Rosa, California, three grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

A memorial Service will be held at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel on December 31, 2020 at 9:30 AM.. We will celebrate his life, and legacy and have a Birthday Cake to celebrate what would have been his 96th Birthday the following day, January 1, 2021. After Carl’s service some of us will travel to the DFW VA Cemetery for his internment. He’ll be physically united with Gladene in their space. In the same area of the VA cemetery close to their longtime friends Canara and Vontell Carruth.