Walter (Walt) Hart, of Arlington passed away Thursday evening January 17, 2019 at Providence Hospice Center in Everett, WA at age 89 after a long battle with several illnesses. His family takes comfort from his seemingly never ending strength and courage.
He was born Walter Francis Hart Jr. in Portland Oregon on February 21, 1929 to Walter and Mary (Chambers) Hart. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School and joined the US Navy in 1946 after serving in the Oregon Army National Guard. He met his future bride on his first weekend back in the states returning to Tacoma WA from serving at Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam in 1949.
He Married Virginia (Ginger) Jenkins at St Leo's church in Tacoma WA August 26, 1950. They celebrated 60 years prior to Ginger's passing. While in the Navy Walter was appointed Electronics Technician Second Class in 1949, Electronics Technician First Class & Chief in 1950 and graduated from Electronics Technician School, Class B US Naval School, Electronics, Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA in 1951. Walt was a veteran of the Korean War and served his country proudly. After serving in the Navy he attended Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon, Seattle University, and later received his Degree in Engineering from City University 1982.
He pursued a career in engineering and retired from John Fluke Manufacturing Company in 1994 after 29 years and consulted with the company for several more years. He started in Electrical Design Engineering and later became the company Product Safety Manager. He was a member of an IEC Safety Standards Committee which met in Countries all around the world.
Walt and Ginger had six children, Mike Hart-Briggs (Rich), Denise Huson (John), Ronda Zoellick (Ray), and was preceded in death by son Larry Hart, and daughters Robin Lynn and Lucinda Dale Hart. Walter is survived by his daughters, 16 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren, sibling Jeanne Zepeda (Jim), brother-in-law Ron Jenkins (Pat), and sisters-in-law Lovena Jenkins, Carol Belden, Sharron Krough and Lolly Belden, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Walter received a harmonica when he was 5 years old which started a musical journey that stuck with him to the end. He loved playing his banjo and harmonica and spent over 60 years singing and playing music. He played with Old Time Fiddlers, Old Time and Country and with many local musicians throughout the years. He played for many years three and four times a week entertaining the elderly at local senior centers. He played and sang in the church choir at St. Mary Magdalen Parish and Immaculate Conception Arlington. Many will remember his yearly Christmas caroling around the office at Fluke. He also coached little league baseball, and was a Boy Scout leader in his younger days. He loved hunting, hiking, biking, and canoeing. He was a lifetime member in The Knights of Columbus, was treasurer for the St. Vincent de Paul organization and a member of the Sisco Heights Community Club.
He was a wonderful brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be missed dearly by all.
Service and reception to be held on March 30th at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception, Arlington. Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul on the church website: osvonlinegiving.com.
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen" Jude 24-25
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