Lewis Ray Hartman,Jr.entered into the life eternal January 17,2013.

Ray was a man of strong faith and was respected by all who knew him. He was born in Farmersville,TX February 12,1931 to Ray and Lula Mae Bowden Hartman Sr. Ray and his younger brother, Jabber, spent their early childhood, teen-age, and young adult years in Farmersville, and Ray's love for that community and the citizens there remained steady throughout his life.

Ray graduated from Farmersville High School in 1948 and received his B.A. in Business Administration from East Texas State University in Commerce,Texas and later earned a Masters Degree in Education from that same university. His educational career began in 1951 when he taught at Tatum Elementary School in Farmersville, TX. His teaching career was interrupted by a draft notice that called him to the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Army Military Police and was stationed in Japan from 1952-1954. Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to teaching at Tatum Elementary. He Served as Principal of Tatum from 1956-1959. During Ray's tenure in the Farmersville schools, his father introduced him to a young home economics teacher, Billye Reynolds. The couple married in Billye's hometown of Bryson in 1955. Eleven years after his own graduation from Farmersville High School, and at the young age of 28, Ray was elected Superintendent of the Farmersville Independent School District where he served for nine years. He resigned that position to relocate in Richardson Independent School District as the principal of the newly completed Forestridge Elementary School. Ray served 22 years in Richardson ISD. After his retirement,a new wing at Forestridge Elementary School was named the Ray Hartman Learning Center in his honor. Ray loved the students, parents, and faculty of Forestridge Elementary. Ray (or Rhode as he was "nicknamed" in his early years in Farmersville) was one of the first ex-students of Farmersville High School to be inducted into the FHS Ex-Students' Association Hall of Fame. He was a Charter Board Member of the Farmersville Ex-Students' Association, a Lifetime Member of the Farmersville Historical Society, and was active in the Main Street Program Event of the annual Audie Murphy Day celebration. Rhode was a past member of the Farmersville Rotary Club, the Farmersville Lions Club, the Farmersville Masonic Lodge, and the First Baptist Church of Farmersville. Ray was also active in the Richardson community through his membership in the Richardson Retired Teachers Association,the Richardson Rotary Club where he twice received the Paul Harris Fellow Award,and in the First Baptist Church of Richardson. Rhode was a fifty-year member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners International, and the Rotary International with more than forty-four years membership in the Richardson Rotary Club. Rhode was a wonderful uncle and a wonderful "great uncle."His nieces,nephew,and great nieces/nephews learned much "about life" from Rhode - - everything from driving a car - to enjoying ice cream - to learning the importance of integrity,honesty, and dedication.He lived a life that served as an example for all whose lives he touched.

Rhode was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother, Walter Joe Hartman. He is survived by his wife of 57 years,B illye Gene Reynolds Hartman. Survivors also include sisters-in-law,J olene Hartman, June Dunlap, and Judy Robertson; brothers-in-law, Don Dunlap and Stan Robertson; nieces, Teresa Austin and her husband, Ski, Dr.Courtney Robertson and her husband,Dan Drasin;nephew,Chris Robertson and his wife,Stacey.Rhode's surviving great nieces and great nephews include Hayley Austin,Josh and Grace Drasin,Michael Ziverk,Ella Grace, Rachel, and Sophie Robertson .In addition to family members, Ray is survived by many close friends from Farmersville and Richardson. Gil Henson and his wife, Louise, have been close friends since Gil was a little boy. Dennis and Jean Johnson have been steadfast in their support of Billye and Rhode for many years, and Barbara Magar has been a faithful friend. The family would like to express deep appreciation to Dr.W. Mark Armstrong who gave his support and care throughout many hospitalizations.His counsel provided great solice to Billye and Rhode.