Hartwell Jr., H.R. “Snapper”

H.R. “Snapper” Hartwell Jr., 82, of Christiansburg, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 12, 2017. He made his way peacefully, and was surrounded by family as he made his final ascent. Snapper was a former State Farm Agent in the Radford community for more than 40 years and was a retired United States Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander, serving as a Naval Aviator. He was also a collegiate athlete, playing football for the University of Virginia and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Snapper was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life and thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, working with horses, and training hunting dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. H. Rudolph and Juliette Hartwell. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen Morris Hartwell; three daughters, Tracey and husband, Ben Harris, Laurie Hartwell, and Mitzi Hartwell; one son, Beau Hartwell and wife, Lindsey; and five grandchildren, Jordan and Taylor Courtner, Zach Hartwell, and Katelyn and Autumn Hartwell. Snapper was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017 at DeVilbiss Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. with Pastor Danny Collins officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery in Fairlawn with VFW Post 776 providing full military rites. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice in Pulaski, VA (319 N. Washington Avenue, Pulaski, VA 24301) or the Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth in Blacksburg, VA (1000 Litton Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060). DeVilbiss Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.