Henry Darwyn Hart of Bartlett, TN, born in Tupelo, MS on May 18, 1935, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2016 at Baptist Hospice House. He leaves his 2 children, Marilyn Vatter of Germantown and William Hart (wife, Mimi) of Phoenix, AZ, wife of 23 years, Francine Williams Hart of Bartlett, 3 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, a brother, Joe Hart (wife, Barbara), 2 sisters, Jane Needham and Ann Styles, and many nieces and nephews. Extended family includes Frances Taylor Hart, Jack Vatter, Robert Bosi, Jr., William Bosi, Bradley Bosi, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He graduated Cum Laude with a Civil Engineering Degree from Memphis State University. After successfully managing his own firm, Hart Engineering, he retired and earned a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Memphis. He wrote columns regularly for The Bartlett Express, Germantown News, and The Collierville Herald. He was an accomplished photographer, with many of his own pictures accompanying his columns. Dementia affected him during his final 15 years, followed by several strokes, robbing him of his goal to teach math and stifling his expert computer science skills. Being an avid reader with a great mind, he held much obscure knowledge that amazed and amused family. Henry’s wittiness and dry humor commanded everyone’s interest. He was known for saying something that would make you feel better for just having been with him, leaving you with a warm smile. His humbleness prevented him from realizing his truly positive influence on his family. He was a former deacon at Leawood Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 14, 1016 from 11 AM – 1 PM at Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington, followed immediately by services at 1 PM in the chapel of Pafford Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Palestine Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Baptist Reynolds Hospice House or Memphis Union Mission.
