Raymond J Hartman Jr.

Raymond Joseph Hartman, Jr., 83, of Taneytown, transitioned to his Heavenly home on January 6, 2022. Born on June 8,1938, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Josephine M. and Raymond J. Hartman, Sr., he grew up in Arbutus, Maryland, and attended Ascension Elementary School and Mt. St. Joseph High School.

Ray began employment with Hubbard Funeral Home in 1956, and after serving his apprenticeship attended the American Academy Mortuary School in New York City. In 1960 he obtained his Funeral Director and Embalmer licenses, and in 1975 he was named Manager and President of Hubbard's. In 1998 he became a full-time consultant to this business founded by his father-in-law, Howard H. Hubbard. He continued to work there until his retirement in July 2003, having served almost 47 years with the company. Professionally he was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Maryland State Funeral Directors Association, and the Maryland Free State Cemetery and Funeral Association. Prior to his retirement, he also served for thirteen years on the Board of Directors of Leeds Federal Savings Bank.

Ray’s life was one of much service to the community. He and wife Joan were active members of Bishop Cummins Reformed Episcopal Church in Catonsville for many years. Ray was a charter member and served twice as president of the Arbutus Business and Professional Association. He was also a member of the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. He served three times as president of the Heritage Community Association (where he lived for forty years), as well as on various other community fundraising and consulting boards. Ray joined the Arbutus Lions Club in 1960 and was a member for over 60 years, serving three times as president. He was recognized with a Melvin Jones Fellowship award, the highest honor a Lion can receive, and was also granted a lifetime membership in the Lions Club.

Two years after his retirement from the funeral business, he and Joan moved to Carroll Vista in Taneytown, where they enjoyed the activities and new friendships of the community. Ray transferred his Lions membership to the Taneytown Lions Club, and he and Joan joined Taneytown Baptist Church, where Ray served as a deacon. They also enjoyed spending time traveling to visit children and grandchildren out of state.

Ray was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and his great kindness, wisdom, and wit will be missed by all. Ray was predeceased in 2011 by his best friend, wife Joan R. (Hubbard) Hartman, to whom he was married for 51 years. He is survived by two daughters, Karen D. Jensen (Bill) of Colorado, and Gail P. Pafford (Todd) of Georgia; son Paul J. Hartman (Lara) of Westminster; and brother Timothy J. Hartman of Pennsylvania. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Joshua Franklin, Natalie Franklin, Sarah Hickey, Christopher Franklin, Micah Pafford, Mark Hartman, Seth Hartman, Katy Hartman, and Ozzy Bacon. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Winston Franklin and Adria Franklin, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Crosswind Church, 640 Lucabaugh Mill Road, Westminster, MD 21157. A private burial was held on January 11, 2022. Arrangements by the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, P.A. of Taneytown.