Hartley, L. S.

Passed: 2007-06-11

Age: 103

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 2007-06-26

Information: MORGANTOWN -  L. S. ""Pete"" Hartley, 103, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 11, 2007.  He was born September 26, 1903, in Jackson County, the eighth and last child born to the late Stephen A. and Victoria King Hartley. He attended the one-room Antioch School and Buckhannon High School.  He graduated in 1921 from Ravenswood High School.  In 1925 he received a degree in agriculture from West Virginia University, where he was a founding member of the West Virginia chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon.  Pete was selected as agricultural agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, county agent for WVU Agricultural Service and manager of agricultural development with the B & O Railroad.       Through the years, his responsibilities and titles increased with his outstanding performance.  He retired from the B & O in 1967 after 42 years of service and accepted a newly created position, ""agri-business representative"" with the West Virginia Department of Commerce.  During his entire career, Pete had a close affilitation with the 4-H Club programs.  As an All-Star, he was inducted into the West Virginia Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1977.  He was also an active member of the Morgantown Rotary for 48 years.  Working with Fred Wyant and Joe Gluck, Pete was responsible for saving and shipping, via the B & O Railroad, the mast of the Battleship USS West Virginia.  This now stands on the WVU Campus.  He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors of distinction, including induction into WVU ""Mountain"" and appointment as ""Honorary Mountaineer Brigadier"" by the Adjutant General of the State of West Virginia.  Pete was the oldest living member of RABO (Retired Administrators B & O) in the history of the organization.      He is survived by his son, Kenneth and daughter-in-law, Cindy.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death in 2002 by his wife of almost 75 years, Elma.  A funeral service was held Friday, June 15, 2007, at Suncrest United Methodist Church, Morgantown, with Rev. Aslam Barkat officiating.  Burial followed in East Oak Grove Cemetery.  Donations may be made in his memory to the Monongalia County 4-H Leaders Association, 26 Commerce Drive, Morgantown, WV 26501.  Hastings Funeral Home, Morgantown, was in charge of arrangements.