Ben Daniel Hart

Ben Daniel (Dan) Hart, 76, entered into eternal life 17 May 2017 surrounded by his family. Dan was born 12 May 1941 in San Rafael, California to Ben D. and Gladys (Miller) Hart. He graduated from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, California in 1959 after which he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was a radio communications specialist. He did 3 tours of duty in Vietnam, where he served with the Naval Special Warfare Teams. Dan spent 22 years in the US Navy. He retired in 1981 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. In 1983, Dan moved his family to Olney Springs, Colorado. He worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections for 13 years before he retired fully. In his retirement, Dan enjoyed spending time traveling with his wife and watching their grandchildren playing their various sports.

Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley (Roberts) Hart, of the family home; daughter, Terri (Jim) Howells of Olney Springs; daughters-in-law, Debbie Refior of Crowley and Dora Hatch of Towaoc; grandchildren, Jeffery (Gerri) Bennett of Olney Springs, Michael Hart of Crowley, Christopher (Jennifer) Hart of Ordway, Ceciala (Richard) Kaizer of Pueblo, Nicholas Chrisman of Olney Springs, Angie (Dan) Burger of Fredericksburg, VA, Brittney (Cody) Snook of Boone, Hannah Howells (Derek George) of Denver, Eliza Hart of Bayfield, Alyssa Refior of Crowley, Justin Woodruff of Olney Springs, Alexis Hatch of Towaoc, and great-grandsons, Bryson Bennett, Wyatt San Juan, Jonathan Bennett, Joshua Burger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben D. Hart and Gladys Hart; in-laws, Ernest Roberts and Velma Roberts; son, Ben Daniel Hart III; and daughter, Kimberly Kay (Hart) Bennett.

Funeral services for Dan are 22 May 2017, 1:00 pm, at the Community Baptist Church in Crowley. Dan will rest forever at the Olney Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Dan’s name to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans @ http://www.nchv.org/index.php/getinvolved/getinvolved/donate/