Jonathan Hartzell

Our beloved Jonathan Hartzell passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, after a long and a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Through it all he was positive, courageous and brave. He never complained and remained hopeful that he would overcome this disease and continue to be at home with family and continue to pursue his life's work. He was a creator, writer, inventor, word smith and more. He loved good food, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends. Most of all he will be remembered for his great interest in everyone he met. He would ask questions about their lives and would listen with great intent. He was genuinely interested and made people feel seen and heard. He touched so many people in his lifetime.

He was born on March 20, 1945, in Pasadena, California to Dorothea and Will Hartzell, their first-born child. They lived just a few blocks from Colorado street where the Rose Bowl parade took place. As a little tike, he walked down to the parade on his daddy's shoulders to watch the beautiful and imaginative flowered floats. Five years later, he became a big brother to his sister Melissa.

In 1954 when Jonathan was 9-years-old, the Hartzell family moved to Redlands, California. There he thrived and attended Smiley Elementary, Cope junior high and Redlands high school graduating in the class of 1963. He worked at Stater Brothers grocery store in high school as a box boy and played guitar and sang in a local band. He also worked on his Model A car, tinkering with the engine and getting it to run just right

In August of 1969, he enlisted in the US Army as a Chief Warrant officer flying the Cobra attack helicopter and was awarded the bronze star for a particularly difficult mission. He spent one year in Vietnam and returned to the US (Savannah, Georgia) as an instructor for weather and aerodynamics specifically for flying helicopters. He also was moonlighting at the local Savannah television station reporting the weather. He was a bit of a celebrity. He was honorably discharged from the army in June of 1971.

Upon returning to California, he went to San Diego State University to study music composition and also studied broadcasting. He received his license to broadcast on the radio and worked as a radio announcer at KYXY radio station in San Diego and also in LA. He wrote and composed several beautiful and melodic songs over the years.

Eventually, he became a father of three girls and one boy. Alicia, Ashley, Allyson and Sam, which brought him so much joy.

In 1980, he worked for the Forest Service as a helicopter pilot picking up loads of water and dropping them on forest fires. He also worked in the coal mines of Utah for a short time.

He made his way with the family to Corpus Christi for a few years to pursue a job flying helicopters for the major oil companies, shuttling executives and guests back and forth from the coastal oil rigs.

From there they made a move to Austin to pursue other opportunities.

A few years down the road he was back on his own and met the love of his life (Suzanne) on November 3, 1988. Their Meetaversary was celebrated every year. It was one of the best days of his life and hers.

On July 5, 1991, Jonathan married Suzanne in the Oriental Gardens at the Zilker Park Botanical Gardens with a small group of close friends. He was over the moon to marry the love of his life and so was she. He also became a doting stepfather to Christa. They were married for 35 amazing years filled with so many adventures, challenges, celebrations, heartbreak, happiness and most of all love and devotion.

Jonathan was truly the most thoughtful, intelligent, interested, curious, kind, witty and most ethical person. He was a rare jewel and one in a million! He will be missed by all who knew him.

Jonathan is survived by his wife Suzanne, children Alicia Hartzell (Jim), Ashley Atack (Pete), Ally Hartzell (Tommy), Sam Hartzell, Christa Claeson (Brian) and his beloved grandchildren, Bailey, Clover, Levi, Maeva, Gregory, Alyvia, Arya and sister Melissa McCracken and nephews Grayson Klink, Paydn Klink

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 2 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Lakeway Activity Center located at 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, TX 78734

Donations can be made in his honor to National Public Radio or Vietnam Veterans of America. Links for donations below.