Death date: Apr 11, 2024
Raymond T. Hartman, Jr., age 75, of Lebanon and formerly of Tennessee, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Ray graduated from Springboro High School, class of ’66, where he played on the Read Obituary
In May, 2015, Ray graciously hosted 4 guys (3 preachers and a recovering attorney) on motorcycles on their way to ride the Tale of the Dragon in eastern Tennessee. David Martin, Lee Stephenson, Nolen Brunson and I had a great time catching up and being loved on by Ray. In particular, I remember us all sitting around the kitchen table at his house, talking and laughing. He had a huge heart. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Uncle Ray, I will see you again! So many wonderful memories of you and Aunt Marilyn!
Today I learned that our dear friend Ray Hartman passed away. He was very instrumental in helping me continue singing and doing ministry, and litterly saving my family. I was about to quit one night after a show in Manchester, TN, and he took the stage and said let's pray for Michael and his family. He encouraged me to continue, and I did. Later he introduced me to the fine folks at the Plateau Pregnancy Center in Crossville, TN. I performed a fundraiser for them on several occasions, and I reconnected with him there in Crossville, TN. I went on to entertain as a Guest Entertainer with several cruise lines, along with a 3-year stint at a theater in Mountain View, AR. When we left Mountain View the shows had dried up completely, and we were broke, in debt, and with no job and no place to live. I remember Ray told me one time if you ever need a place to get away to, I have a retreat place right outside of Knoxville. Just give me a call. So, I took him up on that. I texted him to ask if we could stay at his place there in East TN for a little while, and within 10 seconds he called me, and asked when do you need a place to get away to? I said, "As soon as possible." So, we headed to East TN. My minivan was literally breaking down and we were running on fumes when we coasted into his driveway. He bought us food and he said, "I will take your car to a mechanic" He paid for all of it. He put us up and allowed us to stay there for around 3 months or so. It was a very low time in my life, and he was there to help us. I had my wife and 5 kids and a baby on the way. We had our baby, Kathleen, while living in TN, and Ray allowed us to stay there for an extra month or two. So, I want to say Ray Hartman was a man with a BIG HEART!!! He helped the Kelley Family out tremendously. What an amazing man Ray Hartman was to me and my family, and to so many other people. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. We love knowing he is with Jesus, our only hope! Praying the Lord is near and dear to you at this time and in the future. Rejoicing with you that Ray is with his Saviour!
Doug and Connie Schell
We were neighbors of Rays in Wilmore, KY during our seminary days at Asbury. He was such a kind soul—always willing to share with and serve others. Such a jovial man, and a please to share life with. Rest in Glory now my friend!
I remember sooo many Wonderful times of going to Camp Maranatha and Sunday afternoons of softball, volleyball etc. We played hard and enjoyed our time together having Bible Drills. The Hartmans were a large part of that time of Growing Up. What a blast it was! I have no doubt that Ray has been met by his Family and Friends and by his LORD JESUS CHRIST. Ray was a wonderful man and sooo very LOVED! ❤️❤️❤️
My name is Sheri Nichols. I run a pregnancy center in Crossville Tennessee one day while on the phone with a gal that needed diapers. He was standing in my front room. I didn’t know who he was. He had just walked in the door. I was trying to explain to her that I didn’t have the type of diapers that she needed and he took out $100 bill and he waved it in the air and said here go buy what you need.
He was such a good friend. He just left me a message the other day and I meant to return it now I’ll just wait till I see him in heaven. What a rejoicing that will be.
He was on my board of directors for years board chairman wonderful prayer supporter always encouraging me calling me leaving me messages praying for the ministry. He will be missed, but I know where he is. I loved him dearly.
My condolences to the Hartman family, my cousins Emily and Nathan and their families. Uncle Ray was a one of a kind of guy, always fun to be around at family gatherings. I've always enjoyed joking around with him throughout the years. As a new 16 year old driver, he would take me out for drives and taught me how me how to accelerate thru the turn, I've never forgotten that.
I will miss ray I was his housekeeper loved all the conversations we had even knowing that he knew about the salvation army were I go for church . Such a great man loved Jesus and all the people he would talk to . Rest easy ray until we meet again
