Donald Avery Hart Sr.

Dr. Donald Avery Hart, Sr., 88, of Raleigh passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024 with his family by his side. He was born on August 17, 1936 at home in Caldwell County, NC to the late Walter Avery Hart and Bertha Mabel Thompson Hart.

The family will receive friends on Friday September 20, 2024 9:30–10:45 am at Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00 am, followed by interment in the church columbarium. The service will also be streamed online via the church website.

Donald was a 1954 graduate of Oak Hill High School, graduating as valedictorian of his class. He attended North Carolina State University with a partial Exxon scholarship and served two years in the US Air Force ROTC. Donald earned Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Education degrees from NCSU. He also completed the Management Development Program at Syracuse University.

Donald was active in the various churches he attended, serving as Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and other roles. He loved studying and teaching the Bible, while always telling others about Jesus. He was awarded the 2020 Heritage Award from Trinity Baptist Church for forty-four years of moderating the church’s business affairs and many other areas of service.

During his career, Donald was Co-Founder and Developer of the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology in Research Triangle Park, NC. He served as Chairman of the Research Triangle Park Owners Association, as well as Director of Administration and Human Resources for several other major companies. Donald was President of the International Society of Research Administrators, a Master Mason, a long time Rotarian, a four time Paul Harris Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow for research technology exchange with eight European countries.

Donald loved gardening, building, and fixing things. He enjoyed reading and auctioneering, becoming a licensed auctioneer in the state of North Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoyed auto mechanics and spent many hours working on his antique US Army jeep and antique John Deer tractor (affectionately known as “Little Johnny”). He treasured spending time with family and friends at his mountain home in Ashe County, NC (“his happy place”).

Donald was a gentle, caring, and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved his family, treasured his friends, and loved God above all else.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brothers-in-law: Wanda Hart Haga (Dan), and Carolyn Hart Sizemore (David); and brothers: David Hart and Clarence Hart; and post ceded in death by his brother Felix Hart.

Donald is survived by: his loving and devoted wife of 67 years Mary Jane Hart; son Donald Hart, Jr. (Vonda); daughter Marla Roberts (Mark); grandchildren: Kristen Moore (Robert), Bryce Hart (Amy), Tyler Hart (Emily), Zachary Roberts (Janice), Briana Wall (Jackson), Ciera Harrison (Jake), and Jamison Roberts (Taryn); great-grandchildren: Avery Moore, Chase Moore, Blair Roberts, Islay Roberts, Declan Roberts, Tully Wall, and baby boy Hart arriving in Nov/Dec; sister Barbara Mills (Thad); Sister-in-law Geneva Hart; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the many excellent healthcare professionals for their committed and compassionate care over the years.

Condolences and memories may be entered on the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-9911, or Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.