Carl F. Hart's Obituary
Carl Foster Hart, 98, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2023, joining his loving wife in heaven. He was born on November 21, 1924 to Jess and Bessie Hart in Baird, Texas. Carl was the sixth of eight children, and the last to pass of his sister and six brothers. He grew up in west Texas and eastern New Mexico. All of the children were encouraged by their parents to “do your own thinking, be honest and work hard”. That independence was reinforced through them all during the difficulties of the 1920s and 1930s. He began working at an early age, whether pulling broomcorn or picking cotton and tomatoes. His first real job was selling a national newspaper that earned him 25-50 cents per week. At twelve years old, the family moved to Portales, where he later graduated from Portales High School in 1943. He continued to work while in school to earn money for the family including on farms, as a soda jerk, and selling shoes and women’s apparel. He was senior class president, and voted “Most Likely to Succeed”.
After graduation, he joined the Navy. He spent most of his service on a repair ship in the Pacific (USSARD2) scrubbing, chipping, and painting ships/equipment. We’re thankful for an anchor chain that kept him safe from sliding overboard one night as the only one on deck. Because he could type, they made him the ship’s yeoman to handle correspondence and forms. Upon leaving the Navy in 1946, he began working again and pursuing his degree at the University of New Mexico.
He met the love of his life, Polly, while living at a boarding house while working and in school. Despite the strict separation rules, he was able to meet and court her. Their marriage in 1949 began nearly 60 years of devotion to each other, and a partnership in his career with Sears, Roebuck and Company. He began working for Sears after a brief time at JC Penney. As he rose in the company by choice, they lived in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Roswell, New Mexico; Lubbock and Dallas, Texas; Joplin and Springfield, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas; and, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They had two daughters along the way that were blessed with a strong family foundation and work ethic. Their move to Dallas was for him to open the new Sears Valley View store in 1965 as a standalone store near a new freeway under construction (LBJ Freeway). The people and organizations they joined in each location, brought them numerous friends for life and experiences to treasure. In most of the cities, Carl participated actively in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, their Lutheran church, and multiple other boards.
Carl retired in 1986 in Oklahoma City after a successful forty year career. No longer having retail hours, he was able to golf daily at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmund, Oklahoma and then at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas. He also traveled with Polly seeing most of the U.S., and visiting some other countries with friends. They then moved back to their previous home and neighborhood in Dallas, where he became active at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Brookhaven, and driving Meals on Wheels until his early 90s. He also enjoyed cheering for his New Mexico Lobos, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers as well as the SMU Mustangs. Even in his last few days, he spoke of how lucky he was in life for having such a wonderful family. He believed he was blessed by God with the ability to support his family in a manner he never dreamed possible while growing up. His greatest wish was for peace and prosperity for all people.
Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Polly; his parents, Jess and Bessie Hart; his sister, Leone; his brothers, Doris, Charles, Wray, Marion, Maurice, Rex. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Blair (Paul), and Dawn Christensen (Jim); his grandson, Mark Blair (Keri) and three great grandchildren (Brooks, Paxton, and Caroline). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins from both his and Polly’s family.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, May 11th from 6pm-8pm at Restland Funeral Home 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75382. After a morning family burial, we invite friends to celebrate his life with a memorial service on Friday, May 12th at 1:30pm at King of Glory Lutheran Church 6411 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX 75240.
In his honor, the family asks you to wear bright colors to celebrate his life. His favorites were red or blue. Carl asked that donations be made to your charity of choice.
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