James W. Hart

James W. Hart, 87, of Tulsa, Oklahoma died Friday, December 13, 2013. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 17, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa with the Rev. Irving Cutter, rector, officiating. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas with the Rev. Linda Kelly, rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of Pampa, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. James was born to E. C. and Thelma Dennis Hart in Olney, TX on July 27, 1926. His family moved to Pampa, Texas when he was a child where James lived until he was 40 years old. A 1944 graduate of Pampa High School, some of his fondest memories were of playing football with the Pampa Harvesters. Upon graduation, James enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines during World War II from 1944 to 1946. In January 1950 he was recalled to active duty and in December became a member of the last group of reserves deployed to Korea. In January 1951, James joined the 5th RCT, an infantry team that traces its history to the Revolutionary War. He was captured in April 1951 and was a Korean prisoner-of-war until September 1953. Following release from prison camp and an honorable discharge as Master Sergeant, James was awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry in action during the battle preceding his capture. He returned to Pampa and married the love of his life, Patsy Ruth Miller Kersey. James and Pat moved their family to Stillwater, OK in 1967. In 1991, they retired and relocated to Tulsa, OK to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Pat preceded him in death on April 18, 2011. A long-time Episcopalian, James was an active member of St. Matthew’s in Pampa, St. Andrew’s in Stillwater and St. John’s in Tulsa. He served on the Vestry in the Pampa and Stillwater churches. Throughout his life he demonstrated a deep faith in God he shared with family and friends. He worked in the insurance industry much of his career and owned and managed Dunhill Personnel Agency in Stillwater, OK. All who knew him witnessed his strength of spirit and engaging sense of humor. James shared his wit and banter with every family member, friend and stranger. With a twinkle in his eye you knew he was up to no good. However, he never failed to express his love for his family and friends by telling them how much they were loved. He is survived by his children, Chris Matthies and husband Les of Bixby, OK; Beth Kerley of The Woodlands, TX; Dan Hart and wife Kim of Tulsa, OK; four dear grandchildren, Katie (Kerley) Henson and husband Jimmy; Paige (Kerley) Durant and husband James; Leigh Anne Hart; Lauren Hart; three great-grandchildren: Jack, Tate and Tripp Henson; his sister, Sue Derington of Pampa, TX; sister-in-law Carole (Miller) Herzberg and husband Jerry, of Tulsa, OK; brother-in-law Mike Miller and wife Jacquetta of Amarillo, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family thanks Pam Campbell Jezowski and Theresa Grintals for their exceptional skills as caregivers, and the aides, nurses, staff and administrators at the Tulsa Jewish Retirement and Healthcare Center. Gratitude is also extended to the staff of Miller Hospice who cared for him during his final days. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home in Pampa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX, or www.calfarley.org.