Randy "Banjo" Hartling, age 55, died on Sunday, July 8, 2007, at his home in Ketchum.
He was born Dec. 5, 1951, in Compton, Calif., the child of Warren and Bertha Hartling. Randy grew up in Garden Grove and graduated from Loara High School. He was the youngest of his two brothers, Mickey and Dennis. "Banjo" was a nickname given to him by his brother Mickey and those who knew him well always addressed him as such.
Banjo was a plastering contractor in Southern California and a bus driver for the Orange County Florida School District. He enjoyed being a public servant and could do just about anything he put his mind to. He also worked nine years in public relations for Southern California Edison Co.
Banjo was an outdoors man and loved surf fishing. He collected coins and baseball cards. He loved to work with young children and performed many community services helping handicapped children.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and was recognized in 1974 by SAC as one of nine sergeants designated to support Air Force One as a fueling expert (fuels management officer). He successfully completed courses in cryogenic fluids production and was an Air Force traffic accident prevention team member. Banjo received his honorable discharge from the Air Force as a sergeant in 1977.
Banjo was a very kind and gentle person who gave of himself continually. He never missed an opportunity to share with anyone his faith in Jesus Christ. Everybody loved him. He was extremely bright with a unique flare for using his "dry sense of humor." He never had an enemy. Banjo had a tremendous love for animals, especially stray dogs.
Survivors include his brother Mickey Hartling of Corona del Mar, Calif.; and his nieces Kamme (D.J.) Hodge of Costa Mesa, Calif., Korre Hartling and her children Piper and Slater Hjort of Newport Beach, Calif., Krista Hartling and Tori Hartling both of Corona del Mar, Calif. Those preceding him in death were his parents and his brother Dennis James Hartling.
Private memorial services will be held. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, P.O. Box 1496, Hailey, ID 83333.
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey, Idaho.
