Funeral services for John Hartog, 89, West Plains, Missouri, were at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains, Missouri.
Mr. Hartog passed away at 5:10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.
He was born on Oct. 15, 1936, to Klaus and Sena Hartog in Adrian, Minnesota. John grew up on a farm in rural Adrian with four brothers. It was always his dream to be a farmer, but life had other plans. John was drafted in the Army and stationed in Denver, Colorado. He served in the Korean Conflict from 1958 to 1960. When John returned home the family farm had been sold, so John began his long career with Safeway at their Egg plant in Adrian Minnesota. He was very mechanically inclined. His wife, Carol (2T), called him her MacGyver as he could fix anything.
John married Carol (2T) Egan on March 6, 1964, in Luverne, Minnesota. To this union, two daughters were born, Linda Marie Hartog and Lisa Ann (Hartog) Aksamit. John and 2T lived in Adrian for many decades. Along with his job at Safeway John and 2T ran “The popcorn wagon" which in today's world would be a Food Truck. The popcorn wagon sat at the Adrian Ballpark all summer and into the fall tournaments. They also took the Popcorn wagon to county and state fairs. In 1978, John and 2T bought their first restaurant in Rock Rapids, Iowa. John drove the 40 miles back and forth every day after work to help run the restaurant until the Adrian Home Cafe became available. John helped operate the Home Café along with his job until he was relocated to Emporia, Kansas, and then finally to West Plains, Missouri, to be the Maintenance Engineer for the Safeway Charcoal plant that was built on ZZ highway in 1983. John retired from Safeway in1990. John and 2T then purchased a restaurant in West Plains and called it TJ's Hickory House. John kept up the day-to-day maintenance of maintaining a restaurant as well as smoking all the meat and making the Prime Rib that became popular on Friday and Saturday nights. The restaurant was a staple for over 30 years. Even a fire in 1998 that nearly destroyed the entire building couldn't stop the popularity of TJ's. John rebuilt the restaurant, and they brought it back better and stronger than ever.
John loved his family. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his wife, daughters and later his grandchildren who lovingly called him “Papa”.
He will be missed by all.
Visitation was held prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial was in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Regional Animal Shelter, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.
Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com
