James Daniel Hartman

James Daniel Hartman, beloved son, brother, grandson, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2023 in Holladay, Utah. He was 40 years old. Born on January 30, 1983 in Walla Walla, Washington, he came into the lives of grateful parents Dan and Susan Hartman of Provo, Utah as an infant. Dan and James fell instantly in love from the first minute they met and their father-son bond never wavered. Close behind was the fierce love from his best friend, big sister Bri Bri.

He spent an idyllic childhood in Provo with siblings Brianne and Kimball. Additional siblings joined him in later years, including Colby, McCall, Sydney, Derek, Diana, Kyle, JC, Shashauna and Kiera. James loved being part of this big blended family. He spoke in movie and TV series quotes from his favorite characters as a shorthand with his family, who would recite every line verbatim in unison and laugh for hours.

James loved with his whole heart. He had an uncanny knack for knowing when you needed a hug, and he gave the best bear hugs to all he knew that you never wanted to end. He could talk for hours in an Irish brogue and tell stories that would make you laugh so hard you were crying tears of happiness, and his infectious laugh made every occasion the best time you ever had.

James served in the Army as an 88M (truck transportation specialty), with service in Iraq. This experience equipped him with skills and habits that were useful throughout his life. He was an exceptionally hard worker, and well respected by his employers and co-workers in all kinds of occupations for his willingness to work long and hard until the job was done properly. At his death, James was working as a crew manager for Beacon Doors, and was proud of high-end projects such as the Taylorsville Temple he was able to work on.

He had many talents that he shared freely throughout his life, including a beautiful singing voice, great storytelling skills, quick wit, gymnastic and all-around athletic talent, math skills, and a wonderful sense of humor. He had a special ability to explain complex concepts to children in clear, understandable ways, which his nieces and nephews remember with fondness.

He loved to learn and had a wide range of interests to explore. He was particularly interested in history and biographies, and loved to dive deep by watching documentaries, reading, and sharing what he learned and how he saw it connecting to other things.

He showed his musical talent early in life–displaying exceptional ability to match pitch, sing complex phrases, replicate rhythms, and remember songs even as a toddler. His neighbors in Provo remember hearing him come home from elementary school singing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah and church songs at the top of his lungs, with beautiful pitch and vibrato.

As he grew, he became a music nerd with an eclectic blend of musical tastes, from Johnny Cash to Korn to Eminem to Billy Joel. After being introduced to Metallica, he went all-in on heavy metal. As he told his stepfather Ric Salgy, “That band changed my life.” He became the lead singer in several heavy metal bands such as local favorite Post Riot and other local bands.

James had a big and tremendously loyal heart, forming deep relationships with friends that endured through life’s ups and downs. He could make anybody laugh, and was able to help both strangers and friends feel welcome and loved. Fueled by his tender heart and instinctive empathy, he loved freely and shared readily from abundance and scarcity alike.

He is survived by parents Dan and Lisa Hartman, Susan and Ric Salgy, and Leona and Calvin Help; grandparents Joan and Dick Salgy and Jim and Becky Bringard; his beloved children Ana Hartman, Draven Hartman, and Hazel Amott, and grandson Lincoln James Duran; siblings Brianne Marshall (Joe Hyder), Kimball Hartman, Colby Hartman, McCall Moody (Craig Casazza), Sydney Hartman, Derek Salgy (Kira), Diana Salgy Jacobson (Darren), Kyle Help, JC Help (Dayana), Shashauna Mountain (Erin) and Kiera Help (Ana); and nieces and nephews Kaelei Marshall Saldierna (Edher), Valentine Salgy, Strider Salgy, Olivia Hyder, Porter Jacobson, Calvin Jacobson, Odessa Jacobson, Alexander Jacobson, Juliette Help and Ezra Mountain.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Larkin Sunset Gardens,1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held from 12:30 - 1:30 pm prior to the services. If you would like to watch the recorded services online, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above.