George E. Hartman Jr., 79, longtime Paxton resident, passed from this life on Nov. 3, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

He was born on Oct. 5, 1934, in Sutherland, the son of George and Helen (McCormick) Hartman. George grew up on the farm near Paxton and graduated from Paxton High School in 1952, where he lettered in all sports. He then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He was a member of the university livestock judging team and the Farm House Fraternity.

In 1957, George married H. Emily Hemphill. The couple moved to the family farm in 1959 after a year and a half in O’Neill, where George served as assistant county agent. They lived on the family farm near Paxton ever since.

George was very proud of his cattle operation and registered Hereford cows. He was also a licensed real estate broker, appraiser and auctioneer. George worked part time for the University of Nebraska demonstrating agent software to farmers. This was one of the first software packages designed for agriculture finance and was so pioneering that George was featured in National Geographic magazine. At the auctions, he enjoyed entertaining the crowds with his auctioneer song prior to starting the sale.

He was a lifelong confirmed member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served on the church council and taught Sunday school and confirmation classes. George had a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir and for countless weddings and funerals. He was also very community minded and helped with events and fundraisers.

George loved attending Paxton High School sporting events and was an avid Husker fan. Golfing became a passion and he loved to play with his family and friends at the Sutherland Course.

After retirement, George was a substitute teacher for Paxton and Sutherland high schools. He especially enjoyed working with young people and teaching the subjects, as well as providing valuable life lessons to his students.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters, Marge Hatheway and Jerry Price.

Survivors include his wife, Emily of 56 years; two sons, John (Kathy) Hartman, of Phillips, and Kirk (Linda) Hartman, of Lincoln; four grandchildren: Ryan Hartman, of Parker, Colo., Nathan (Bobbi) Hartman, of Columbus, and Megan Hartman and Cole Hartman, both of Lincoln; and one great-grandson, Brooks George Hartman, of Columbus,

Family was his life. George was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and was greatly loved by his family.

Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Paxton Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be sent to drauckerfuneralhome.com.

Service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Paxton with Vicar J.A. Welsh officiating, Burial will be at the Paxton Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m., today, at Draucker Funeral Home. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.