James Stuart Tart

James Stuart Tart, Sr., age 84, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 12th, 2026.

He was born on January 26th, 1942, in Davenport, Iowa, to Stephen Mortimer Tart and Eugenia Hill Tart.

Jim was known for his love of a good story and never let facts hinder one. He carried on his mother’s love of books and language, a hobby he passed to his children, as well.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Jim completed some less traditional graduate work at the Church’s Fried Chicken Manager Training program and eventually opened the first Church’s Fried Chicken franchise in Alaska before spending the balance of his career in Dallas with Paine Webber and UBS in the institutional bond business. He frequently traveled for work and pleasure to New York City, London, and Santa Fe and made lifelong friends across the globe.

Jim is survived by his children, Katherine Tart Kibler and her husband, William Scott Kibler, of Charleston, South Carolina; his son, James Stuart Tart, of Idaho; and his daughter, Margaret Hill Tart, of Dallas; and, most importantly, his granddaughter, Lilly Bug. He is also survived by his brother, Peter M. Tart, and his wife, Shirley, along with many nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gwendolyn; his parents, Stephen Mortimer Tart and Eugenia Hill Tart; his brother, Stephen M. Tart Jr., and Stephen’s wife, Winifred.

The family would also like to express special thanks and gratitude to his personal caregiver, Mr. Thomas Rogers, who was a constant in the latter years of Jim's life and provided countless hours of support and comfort to Jim over the years.

A Memorial will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 24th, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225, with a reception to follow. Donations in memoriam can be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, Dallas www.scottishriteforchildren.org/. To honor Jim’s memory, all are encouraged to cut out this obituary or another more interesting newspaper article, and mail it to someone, an endeavor which Jim was fond of doing for his own children.