Royce Joe Hart

Our sweet father Royce Joe Hart passed away on May 27, 2022 surrounded by his family. Joe was born September 6, 1934 in Hollywood, Arkansas to Dwight Hart and Velma “Jim” Hudgens Hart, he was their only child. His parents divorced when he was very young. He attended elementary school in Arkansas, Texas and Arizona, and graduated from Tucson High School. Dad graduated from the University of Arizona with a
BS in mechanical engineering. After college he enlisted in the Navy and was slated to attend their flight school but was disqualified due to a minor knee injury. He served about 13 months active duty assigned to the USS Catamount before being discharged to reserve status. Dad’s military service was between the Korean and Vietnam wars.

About the time he was getting ready to leave for the navy Joe was set up on a blind date by his great friends David and Mary Lou Sandrock. That was the date that changed his life forever.  Joe married our mother, the beautiful Sheila McInerney on September 4, 1959, later solemnized in the Mesa, AZ LDS temple. In 1967 the family moved from Arizona to Utah when Joe accepted a position in logistics at HAFB. They settled in Kaysville, which became their home for the rest of their lives. Dad especially enjoyed his association with all his friends in the Kaysville 4th ward who loved and supported him after Mom’s death.

Joe liked to hike, ride his bicycle, photography, and electronics. Dad could fix just about anything, when he had several children who could drive living at home he always had cars to work on. He liked to go to thrift shops and find good deals. He was artistic he had a few paintings but said he didn’t paint any more after he learned more about photography. He liked to watch youtube and learn new things. Dad enjoyed playing chess and he loved to play free cell solitaire on his phone.

Our father was a kind and patient man. He had fun with us. Not much of an athlete himself he coached and attended many little league, high school and college games. He had a great sense of humor. He tried to make sure everything was fair for us. As an engineer we used to jokingly call him a “nerd” and make fun of his pocket protector, he just smiled and laughed with us.

Dad had a sweet tooth. Some of his favorite desserts were cake, fudge, brownies, cookies, ice cream, ice cream sundaes, any kind of dessert, syrup, sugar, gum drops, any kind of candy, sugar or anything sweet…

Joe’s family would like to express their gratitude to the patient and caring staff at Whisper Cove Assisted Living And Memory Care, and Canyon Home Care and Hospice  for the loving way they cared for our father.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Sheila, daughter, Laura, and his parents. Survived by his children Shellie (Jim) Bezzant, Dale (Kathey) Hart, Blake (Jennifer) Hart, Blair (Andrea) Hart, Danny (Ranae) Hart, Sam (Laura) Hart. 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and brother Phillip (Annette) Hart.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am., Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah.

Viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm., Monday, June 6, 2022 at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah.