Obituary of James Deane Hartsock

James Deane Hartsock (Jim), 75, of Winter Haven, Florida, went to his eternal home on April 25, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all.

Jim was born on January 27, 1948, to Max and Inez Hartsock in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in nearby Waynesville, Ohio. After graduating from Waynesville High School in 1966, he went on to study Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1971.

While in high school, Jim met his sweetheart, Nancy Simpson, and the two were married in 1970. After completing college, they began a family, raising their first 2 children, Jamie and Julie, in Dayton, Ohio before moving to Lakeland, Florida in 1985. In 1991, Jim (and Nancy) answered the call of the Lord, leaving his professional career and moved to Guatemala. That same year, they welcomed a beautiful Guatemalan, named Maria, to their family.

Over the course of the next 14 years, Jim and Nancy lived and served in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, utilizing his pharmacy skills and Nancy’s nurse practitioner skills in mobile medical clinics. They also helped facilitate vision, dental, and surgical teams. Jim left a legacy in starting and supporting nutrition centers, medical clinics, and feeding centers in remote villages, as well as providing education to pastors and helping them buy cows and plant gardens in order to provide lasting food sources. Jim was also involved with the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) to donate motorcycles to pastors in remote villages. Most recently, Jim and Nancy taught English to elementary students in Nicaragua, worked with organizations to help sponsor children to attend Christian schools, and supporting school children by providing breakfast for children in local schools.

Due to the pandemic in 2020, they returned to their US home in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. After almost losing Nancy in 2021 to Covid, they decided their health issues would require them to remain stateside. Jim and Nancy moved from Georgia to Winter Haven, Florida in early 2022.

In addition to working as a pharmacist and serving as a missionary for almost 30 years, Jim was also an adjunct professor for the Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy for International Studies. He has also always been involved in his church and has served in many capacities. He has been a member of the Assemblies of God churches for over 40 years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Inez Hartsock. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hartsock, his son Jamie Hartsock (Jennifer), his daughter Julie Jones (Joel), his daughter Maria Watler (Kevin), his grandchildren Brianna Daniel (Joshua), Justin Hartsock, Bryson Jones, Jason Hartsock, Melanie Jones, Brayden Jones, Jordyn Hartsock, Aiden Jones, Tristan Jones, his sister Cynthia Gabbard (Tim), and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Jim and Nancy’s current ministry, feeding breakfast to underprivileged children at a local Nicaraguan school. The link below will allow you to give easily online. Click DONATE , choose James Hartsock, Nicaragua and designate it to Fuel for Learning! www.cmnetwork.org

Contact family directly for service info.