John Elmer Hart

John E. Hart was born May 18, 1942 in Houston, Texas. He passed from this life on February 17, 2020 at his home in Jersey Village, Texas. John’s early years were in Houston with his parents Maurice and Myrtle Hart, older brother Maurice, Jr, his little sister Glenda, and his younger brother Gerry. In his early years of school, John’s mother would take him to school and he would run home, beating his mother back to the house. This sometimes happened 2-3 times per day (until his dad got involved – that usually resolved the issue, at least for the day). His family moved to Waller when he began middle school. His parents had no problems keeping him at school in Waller because he spotted Lucille on his first day. John was happy to return every day to be close to her. Don and Daryl, John’s two youngest brothers, were added to the family in John’s young adult life. John was lettered in multiple sports and was an active athlete for all four years of high school. He found success in football, track, basketball, and drama (to name a few). He graduated from Waller High School in 1961. He wasted no time to marry his high school sweet heart, best friend, and partner in life on January 20, 1962.

John joined the Army even before graduating high school. He excelled in his service for his country for seven years, and held his high regard and appreciation for servicemen and women his whole life. His career in the industrial heat transfer industry began when he was eight years old, working as a shop helper in Dad’s business. He worked as a radiator mechanic and learned more about the business over the years. He used the skills learned early on to shape the rest of his career in the industry. He bought Auto Radiator Works from his Dad in 1969 and founded Hart Radiator and Texrad in 1978, which merged to form Amrad in 1979. Hart Heat Transfer Products was incorporated in 1984. When John retired, his brother Don purchased and carried on the family business. His special relationship with Ed Frederick, his mentor and dear friend, helped him make the expansions in his business from service to manufacturing.

John’s thrill in life was mastering hobbies. Once he mastered one hobby, he would move on to learn a new one. John lived every day as an adventure, but that didn’t stop him from having extra exciting adventures. He could tell you stories upon stories of his adventures in hunting, weight lifting, motorcycling, bicycling, flying airplanes, training hunting dogs, police dogs, restoration of antiques, metal art, wood working, drawing, and song writing. He even wrote a book entitled “As Everyone Knows:” The Life and Legend of the Kohawk.

Some may have called John stubborn, but we’ll say “independent.” He made the USA Four Corners Tour by motorcycle completely by himself. A journey of over 7,000 miles, he completed it in well under the required 21 days. John received his first heart stent in his 60s, and a few short months later, was the oldest man to date to climb Pike’s Peak. Naturally, he insisted on doing it alone to show he didn’t need help.

In the 1980’s John was commissioned as a police officer and served the Jersey Village Police Department as a patrolman and K9 officer. His search and rescue bloodhound, Lightnin’, and narcotics canine, Fire, were a major part of his career in law enforcement.

Although John kept busy with business and hobbies, his service in God’s kingdom was always his top priority. John was baptized when he was about 12 years old at Lindale. His love of praising and worshiping God in song developed and grew throughout his life as a Christian. He was a song leader, and anyone who worshiped with him cannot doubt how he felt about Jesus and His sacrifice when he sang “Old Rugged Cross.” If you sat in one of John’s Bible classes, you would know that he didn’t just teach Bible class. He worked to bring God’s word to life by showing you how real and vital it is. Many have received the benefits of John’s skill with his hands by seeing things like John’s reproduction of Goliath’s spear or nails that could have been used to crucify Jesus. Many remember a lesson he preached at Cy-Fair Church of Christ showing what a scourge looked like and showing just a touch of the experience of Jesus in his sacrifice. John was a wonderful example in repentance. He was the very first to admit when he was in error and the first to hit his knees in repentance.

In his retirement, John focused his energy on growing his wood crafting skills building treasures and treats for young families with children. This included cradles, chairs, rocking airplanes, Noah’s arks, Bible teaching tools such as Peter’s sailboat, and much more. His hand crafted canes assisted him to walk, but his non-traditional designs were just the right conversation starters that would allow him to eventually ask you how was your relationship with God and could he help.

We know the impact John had on others was wide spread throughout many generations and many states. In lieu of flowers, his most recent cause to champion was to promote the great services of Sacred Selections. John and Lucille had the privilege of hosting a Sacred Selection family from Missouri when they came to Houston to meet their daughter. Since witnessing the impact this non-profit organization has in fund raising for families in the adoption process, we request in the lieu of flowers donations be made to Sacred Selections. Specific families that John and Lucille have recently met will be earmarked to receive a portion of the donations received.

It is impossible to list all the individuals who love and influenced John, but his friendships were so important to him. His friend August Timmerman preceded him in death, and John felt this loss profoundly. His friend Terry Beene has been a constant in his life for many years, and he treasured the bond they shared in their faith and friendship.

John was preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Myrtle Hart, Sr., and his brother Gerry Hart. He is survived by his lovely bride of 509,160 hours, Lucille, and children John and Carla Hart, Jr, Richard Hart, and Albert and Patti Arechiga, III; his loving grandchildren Lucas and Jayme Hart, John-Albert Arechiga and fiancé Jackie Aguilar, Jacob Hart, Madison Arechiga, Laura Hart, Adrian and Demi Kahn, and Shelbie Mixon; and his darling great-granddaughter Emily Hart. He is also survived by siblings Maurice and Jenelle Hart, Jr., Glenda and Charlie Nipper, Don and Betty Hart, Daryl and Lisa Hart, Margaret Hart, and many nieces and nephews.