JULY 22, 1919-DECEMBER 9, 2010 David L. Hart, 91, of Belton, Missouri died peacefully at his home on December 9, 2010. He was born to Arthur and Myrtle (Lacey) Hart in Hannibal, Missouri. He attended McCooey High School and graduated in 1938, earning a football scholarship to Saint Benedicts College in Atchinson, Kansas. He married Marjorie Powell of Oakwood Missouri on October 5, 1942 and they spent 68 wonderful years together. He was proud to be an American and was commissioned an Ensign and Naval Aviator on June 8, 1942 in the United States Naval Reserve. Prior to conducting operational missions in the Pacific theater during WWII, he was an instructor pilot at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas. He is credited with training two pilots who later became WWII flying aces. During his tenure with the Navy, he flew the PV1 and P2V attack aircraft. After a break in service, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in the avionics maintenance career field, retiring September 1, 1969 as a Chief Master Sergeant and was advanced to Captain on August 4, 1973. All together, he proudly devoted over 30 years to the US military. Always a devout Catholic, he spent much time in his later years making rosaries to donate to the church. He took this job seriously and with well over 1,000 rosaries to his credit, many in the church community were beneficiaries of his generosity and devotion. Dave was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and great-great- grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; children David (Delores) Hart, Diane (Al) Giamartino, Mary (John) Woodall, Michael Hart, Daniel (Nicole) Hart, and Theresa (Keith) Jaloma. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great- grandchild. Graveside services 3 PM Monday at Longview Memorial Gardens with visitation 1-2 PM Monday Cullen Funeral Home with rosary at 2 PM. Memorials to Disabled Veterans Association. ARRANGEMENTS; CULLEN FUNERAL HOME RAYMORE, MISSOURI (816)322-5278
Published in Kansas City Star on December 11, 2010