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- [S142] Newspaper Article, Amarillo Globe News (TX), 6 Jan 2009.
Jack Hoke Hart, 85, of Amarillo died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Gruver Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Moreland officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman.
Jack was born Oct. 30, 1923, on his grandfather's ranch near Morse. He graduated from Gruver High School in 1940 and enrolled in Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
In 1943, as an advanced ROTC cadet, he was called into active duty with the U.S. Army. He requested a transfer to the U.S. Army Air Corps and received training as a reconnaissance pilot in the twin-fuselage, twin-engine, single-seat P-38 that was fitted with cameras rather than guns.
Jack finished first in his class and was immediately sent overseas to Okinawa. During a rest stop at New Guinea on his way to Okinawa, Japan, Jack received word that his older brother Walter, who was a major with the Fifth Cavalry, was killed on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Jack flew three combat missions from Okinawa. The first two reconnaissance missions were over Tokyo and Yokohama. His third combat mission at the age of 21 was the first reconnaissance flight over Nagasaki on Aug. 10, 1945, the day after the atomic bomb was dropped over the city.
After serving a year in Japan with the Occupational Army, Jack returned to Hansford County, where he began his lifetime occupation of farming and ranching. Later, he and several partners built and operated the Hansford Feedyard located northeast of Spearman that is now Spearman Cattle Feeders.
He also owned and operated the Palo Duro Grain Elevators in Gruver for many years. He served as vice president of the Gruver ISD board of trustees in the late 50's and early 60's.
Jack always regretted not completing his college education, so he enrolled in West Texas State University in Canyon and received his college degree in 1979, at the age of 56. He later attended Western State University Law School in San Diego.
In 1985, he joined with others to become an organizing director of First National Bank, Spearman, and served as a director for many years. Jack was a member of the Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Grain and Feed Association.
Jack married Bobbie A. Sanders on Aug. 20, 1979. He was a member of The Church at Quail Creek.
The family appreciates the love and care of three special care-givers, Carol Fernandez, Sonia Flores and Nora Mauricio.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Ann Johnson; a brother, Walter; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Hart Tidwell.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie; a sister, Dorothy Hudson of Gruver; a brother, Don and his wife Donna of Mesa, Ariz.; four children, Jerry and wife Christine Hart of Morse, Ginger and husband Bill Pittman and Kitty and husband Frank Edwards, all of Spearman, and Doneta and husband Jon Skavlan of Plano; 11 grandchildren, Michael Hart, Janyth Davis, Bill Jack and Sally Pittman, Tonya, Trudy and Haden Hart, Jocelyn Miller, Jentry Williams and Travis and Anna Skavlan; and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Gruver Scholarship Fund, in care of Amarillo Area Foundation, 801 S. Fillmore St., No. 700, Amarillo, TX 79101; the Ussery-Roan Texas Veterans Home, in care of Chris Crabtree, 1020 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124; or a favorite charity.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 32679873).
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name Jack Hoke Hart
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 20 Aug 1979
Event Place Clark, Nevada, United States
Residence Place Texas
Registration Date 06 Sep 1979
Registration Place , Clark, Nevada
Gender Male
Spouse's Name Bobbie A Sanders
Spouse's Residence Place Texas
Type of Officiator Religious celebrant
Page B219220
Book Number 575
Instrument Number 15526
Registration Year (Original) 1979
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