David Hart

On Sunday, March 8, 2020 David Hart peacefully passed away. He was 90 years old.

David was born in Hayden, Arizona to Effie Grace and Robert Boyd Hart on November 23, 1929, the last of six children.  At the age of 2, the family moved to Safford, Arizona where he attended school through his junior year of high school.  The summer after his junior year of high school, he came to Watsonville, California to visit his older brother who lived in Watsonville.  David learned about the then, small school called Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville and attended there for his senior year of high school; graduating in 1948 along only five other students.  On June 25th, 1949, at the age of 19, David married his sweetheart, Lola Rackley.  The newlyweds resided in Watsonville/Corralitos for the remainder of their 70 years of marriage.  Over the years, David had several businesses.  He worked at and eventually owned the first self-serve gas station on Freedom Blvd.  He eventually expanded to selling used cars for several years and then acquired a Nash dealership.  In 1971, David opened a Datsun dealership (later becoming Dave Hart Nissan) which he owned and oversaw for many years until he retired.  During his early years in business, David also served in the National Guard for approximately seven years.

During his lifetime, David was passionate about several Christian ministries.  He served as the Chairman of the Board of Regents of Monte Vista Christian School for many years.  One of the primary goals of this board was to fund raise for the school.  The main project he oversaw was the building of a gymnasium.  He was honored in October of 2019 as the school named that building the Dave Hart Gymnasium. David was also involved in South African ministries, including the opening of a Bible School and an orphanage.  David was an active member of Twin Lakes Church for 40+ years and served as an usher for many of those years.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Boyd Hart and Effie Grace Hart; as well as by his five siblings, Ruth Andrews, Delton Hart, Vernon Hart, Duane Hart, and Micki Echols.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Lola M. Hart; and his four children, Pamela Gibson (Greg), Randy Hart (Carol), Vern Hart (Katie), and Karen Swedberg (Jon).  He was also survived by his eleven grandchildren, Alicia (Darren) Cline, Jared (Gricel) Gibson, Amanda Hart, Lisa Hart, Travis Stephens, Kaylyn (Aaron) Hernandez, Logan Hart, Ava Hart, Ryan Swedberg, Tyler Swedberg, and Emily Swedberg; along with his six great-grandchildren, Mya Gibson, Jace Gibson, Charlee Cline, Preslee Cline, Henry Barili, and Lola Hernandez.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, services are pending.

Arrangements have been entrusted in the care of The Carroll Family of Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, www.avemariamemorialchapel.com