Charles Hart

Charles Madison Hart, age 94, went home to be with the Lord and his loving wife Alma Wednesday December 4, 2014. Charles was born on May 19, 1920 in Elizabethton, Tennessee to Mary Holly Hart and Eugene Hart. He was happily married to Alma Hart for 57 years until her passing in 2007. Charlie was a loving father, father in-law, friend and neighbor to everyone he knew. He was a proud East Tennessean and had moved to Concord, North Carolina approximately twelve years to be near his daughter and son in-law.
During World War II along with some friends Charles joined the United States Army Air Corp and served 2+ years in England during the war. He told of many stories of working on aircraft that were badly shot up from battle, reloading, refueling and getting the planes ready for their next mission.
On his journey over to England during the war, he sailed on the Queen Elizabeth II (QE-2) of which he told of many stories. Everyone but him were getting sea sick of the week’s long voyage. He did as told and ate heartily to keep his stomach at ease. The return trip was on a B-24 into New Foundland after the war. It was a non-pressurized cabin and not heated so it was a very cold ride!
Charles loved sports of any kind and attended many UNC-Charlotte Basketball games as well as area high school basketball and football games. A couple of years ago he attended a high school football game where US Army recruiters were giving out souvenir dog tags. A sergeant asked him if he wanted some “new dog tags” he immediately stood at attention and recited his dog tag number from memory! He told them he did not need new dog tags as he still had his original dog tags from 1942. They were so impressed they requested to have their picture made with him and emailed the family a copy of the picture along with a very nice note of thanks! They were honored to meet a proud WWII veteran!
He worked in the lab of North American Rayon-Elizabethton, Tennessee for 26 years testing materials for making yarn and fibers. After retiring from the lab he wanted to work for himself and started his own Insurance Agency “Charles Hart Insurance Agency” and sold Life, Health, Auto and Home insurance. He loved people and traveling and this was the perfect job for him to put on his coat and tie and meet new people and provide insurance coverage.
Charles previously attended Watauga Point United Methodist Church for 45 years in Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was Superintendent of Sunday School and led the senior adult Sunday school class for many years. Upon his relocation to North Carolina he joined Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Concord and quickly adopted the church and members as his new church family. When his health permitted he enjoyed attending the adult Sunday school class as well as Hot Dog Fridays and the monthly Spaghetti Suppers!
Charles is survived by daughter, Denise Hart Simerly and husband Michael of Concord, North Carolina, son Dr. Roger Hart of Hampton, Virginia, Sister Elizabeth O’Neal of Morristown, Tennessee, granddaughter Hannah Simerly of Elizabethton, Tennessee and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate Charles’s life will be held on Monday December 8, 2014 at 3:00PM in Hartsell’s Funeral Home Chapel of Concord. The family will receive friends and visitors at the funeral home from 2 to 3 PM prior to the service. A graveside service will be performed at Salem Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Limestone, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kitty City 36 Union Street South, Concord, North Carolina 28025.
Arrangements will be handled by Hartsell Funeral Home, Branchview Road, Concord, North Carolina. Online register book at www.hartsellfh.com.