Russell “Russ” Dean Hartzog, 51, of Barnwell, SC died on February 23, 2024.
He was born in Augusta, GA on August 15, 1972 to Dean and Joan Hartzog and was a member of Barnwell First Baptist Church. Russ graduated from Barnwell High School in 1990 and received his associates degree in Golf Course Management from Horry Georgetown Technical College in 1997.
After graduation, Russ lived in Myrtle Beach, SC for many years where he worked in the food and beverage industry and more importantly created life long friendships with the many of the people he met. He later returned to Barnwell, SC and was a Radiation Safety Technician at Energy Solutions.
Russ loved being by the water and especially fishing with his friends and dad. You could often find him grilling extravagant meals for his loved ones and being the life of the party everywhere he went. Russ was an avid Clemson Tiger Fan and enjoyed going to football games with his family in the fall. Russ was known for his love of animals but none of them could compare to “his girl” Woody who was the light of his life for 14 years. His nieces and nephews will always remember “Shu” for being the very best “funcle” and are so grateful for the many laughs he provided.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Nellie Creech, paternal grandparents Koger and Carlena Hartzog, and his beloved great niece Lila Brynn Lott.
He is survived by his parents, Dean and Joan Hartzog, his sisters, Jeri Lyn (Craig) Ridgeway and Jennifer Kern, his nieces and nephews, Brittany (Josh) Lott, Brock and Riley Ridgeway, Grayson, Gunnar and Logan Kern and his great niece and nephew Martha Ellison and Joseph Cash Lott.
Russ’s family will receive his many loved ones at Barnwell First Baptist Church in Barnwell, SC on Wednesday, February 28th from 1:30-3:00. Funeral services will directly follow visitation at 3:00, with Dr. Bart Kelley officiating. Graveside services will be held at Barnwell County Memory Gardens in Barnwell, SC immediately after. Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell is assisting the family. The funeral service will be livestreamed on Barnwell First Baptist Church's facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fbcbarnwell/
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Animal Advocates of Barnwell, PO Box 1924
Barnwell SC 29812.
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