Marvin Karl Hartwig Jr.

Lifetime resident of Arroyo Grande, CA Marvin Karl Hartwig, Jr., known by family and friends as Karl, passed from death into eternal life to meet His Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, early Friday morning, May 24, 2024.  He was 81 years of age.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage, and by his daughter Bari, along with his his Aunt Betty Hartwig and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher, who passed in May of 2021, and by his parents Helen and Marvin Hartwig.  Born in Tulsa, OK his family soon moved to California, first to Redondo Beach, then to the Central Coast resting in Arroyo Grande in the early ‘50’s. 

Karl was a graduate of AG High School in 1960, where he reigned as class president.  He boasted of being the first to score a basket in the new (now current) gymnasium as a celebrated member of the school’s basketball team.  He went on to attend and graduate from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During this time he played on the city league basketball team, a lifelong passion of his.  He was a member of the Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, and while doing some graduate studies, waiting for an opening for him to attend officer candidate school at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, he met and married Barbara in June of 1966.  After more training in Brunswick, Georgia where his son was born, Karl and family were sent to Guantanamo Bay for the remaining 2 years of his tour of duty.  Having opting out of the aviation career, he landed a much better suited position in Naval intelligence.

After his time in the Navy, Karl took his family across the country to land in Encino, CA, getting a job with Travelers Insurance.  It was there that his daughter Bari was born. The time in Southern California was brief as he was given the open door to return to the Central Coast to eventually join the team at E.C. Loomis & Son Insurance in 1977, later to become a partner, where he remained working until his retirement in 2018.

Karl and his wife served as elders in the First Presbyterian Church where they were married, and later helped to pioneer both Apape Christian Fellowship (now Agape Church) in 1981 and later Shouts of Grace Church (now Equippers) in 2004, with 13 years at the Santa Maria Foursquare Church in between.  They each served in leadership, Karl as an elder in each.

Karl was blessed to step into the role of spiritual grandfather to the three children of Pastor Pat and Terri Sparrow, having the honor of being present for 2 of the 3 births.  Not having any natural grandchildren, these were especially meaningful and joyful relationships for Karl, later embracing and delighting in their spouses and their own children. These include Katie Sparrow Jacobs and husband Justin and their 2 daughters Abigail and Adley, Brianna Sparrow Zuckerman and husband Brian and their 2 sons, Oliver and Elias, and John Sparrow and wife Lenae and their 4 children Paisley, Lily, Davey, and Callum.  It was particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to visit with each of them the last week of his life here with us.

His passing was a peaceful one with his devoted family and a most gracious team of Central Coast Home Health Hospice staff attending to him in his own home.  An eagle flew over his property just prior to his passing signaling his ascent into Heaven.  It is written in Exodus 19:4, ”You have seen what I did to the Egyptians.  You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”  God is a good Father….all the time!

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the building fund for Karl’s church, which is in the process of purchasing and renovating our own building, after 20 years of renting. To do so go to the website Equippers CC.com.  The menu will direct you to give.  Thank you and may God bless.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvin Karl Hartwig Jr., please visit our floral store.