Jerry Dunaway Hart

Mr. Jerry Dunaway Hart, Sr., age 86, passed away on Saturday, May 10, at his home in Eufaula, AL.

Born May 21, 1938, in Georgetown, GA, he was the son of the late John Taylor Hart, Sr., and Leona Dunaway Hart of Georgetown. Mr. Hart graduated from Georgetown High School in 1956 where his main sport played was basketball. He entered Auburn University in the fall of 1956 where the highlight of his college career was serving as manager of the 1960 AU SEC Championship basketball team. After he graduated from Auburn in 1960, he began his long-standing career in education. Beginning in Webster County, he was hired as a history teacher and coach. He continued his career at Greenfield Academy where he served as coach and Headmaster. He finished his career in Eufaula where he retired from the Eufaula City Schools at The Admiral Moorer Middle School.

Known to many as “Mr. Hart”, he was best known as “Daddy” and “Pops” to his children and grandchildren and “Smokey” to the rest of his family. While his love for fishing and hunting was prevalent in all his conversations, you could not deny his love for God and family by his actions and character. He could usually be found sharing his favorite sports story to a friendly face, and he was always sure to speak to everyone he knew. He valued connections and his local people and could be found making many rounds in a crowded area to make sure he said his “hellos” while asking about their families. He genuinely loved talking to others and hearing about their latest success in life and would add in a simple act of encouragement along the way. If you ever met him once, he was sure to remember you, your family, and your interests. As he grew older, he was guaranteed to throw in his own proud story of a grandchild or child (or even the latest “big fish” he caught at the lake). Without a doubt, his best quality was that he loved Jesus, and he made sure his legacy carried that love for generations to come.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Taylor Hart, Jr.

He is survived by his loving family: his wife of 63 years, Dianne Walker Hart of Eufaula, daughters Lori (Bob) Riles of Preston and Dana (Linc) Blankenship of Preston, sons Jerry Dunaway Hart, Jr. “Jay” (Brooks) of Americus and Jonathan (Anna) Hart of Hoover, AL, grandchildren Mackenzie (Mack) Greene; Dillon (Haley) Blankenship; Austin (Anna) Blankenship; Avery (Jackson) Hayes; Caroline (Geoffrey) Browning; Jackson (Ramey) Hart; Katie, Michael, and Landry Hart; and great-grandchildren Owen, Berkley, and Grant Greene; Hayes, Henry, Ali, and Sutton Blankenship, and Baby Hayes on the way.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 13, from 12-2 CST at Chapman Funeral Home found at 100 E Fair St. Eufaula, AL. The funeral will follow at 2 PM CST at the funeral home, and there will be a Graveside service to follow at 5 PM EST at Preston City Cemetery. The following will serve as pallbearers: Henry Hart, Taylor Hart, Steve Hart, Andy Hart, Dillon Blankenship, Austin Blankenship, Jackson Hart, and Michael Hart.

In lieu of flowers, the Hart family asks that you send in donations to your favorite charity.

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