Obituary of CPO John Allan Hartley, U.S. Navy,

John Allan Hartley, 78, of Black Forest, Colorado passed away unexpectedly September 5, 2022. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Donna Hartley; sons, John (Wendy) Hartley and Brian (Lindsay) Hartley; grandchildren Angelina, Zoey and William; siblings, David (Laura), Kenneth (Joan) and Ardis (Patrick); brother-in-law, Brian Gilbert; and many nieces, nephews and friends. John was born on May 16, 1944, in Sandusky, Ohio to John and Bernice Hartley. He grew up loving the outdoors and would spend every minute possible on his grandparents' farm. He left Ohio in 1962 when he joined the Navy. John was stationed in many locations including San Francisco where he met Donna Tocci-Gilbert, Virginia, Iceland and Hawaii. John and Donna were married for fifty-five years. They have two sons, John (Wendy) and Brian (Lindsay) and three grandchildren, Angelina, Zoey and William. John spent twenty years with the U.S. Navy retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. After retirement the family settled in Black Forest where John's military background as an electronics specialist led to a career at TRW working on various projects for NASA and the military. Never one to sit idle, John later went on to teach Electronics at Intellitec College in Colorado Springs, retiring in 2006. John was an avid beekeeper with his passion starting in Hawaii in the mid 70's. In addition to running a successful beekeeping business, John held leadership positions in the Colorado State Beekeepers Association and the Pikes Peak Beekeeper Association. He mentored hobby beekeepers, teaching hundreds the craft. John loved animals, especially dogs and brought home many of them "who needed homes over the years." Donna put her foot down when a man asked him to take his 200lb. pet pig. He acquired chickens, ducks and pheasants in earlier years. The ducks and pheasants were his favorite birds. He loved the Lutheran Church, attending morning coffee at the R&R caf� with his retired friends over many years, driving across the country to visit family, reuniting with Navy friends and watching his beloved grandchildren grow. Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908 with a reception following. Inurnment to be held at a later date, Black Forest Lutheran Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital at (www.stjude.org) or Paws and Stripes at (www.pawsandstripes.org). Events Memorial Service Tuesday, September 13, 2022 11:00AM Black Forest Lutheran Church 12455 Black Forest Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Phone: 719-328-1793