Donnie Alton Hart

In 1973, Donnie graduated from Central High School in Macon where he was a manager for the football team that advanced to the 3A state finals. After high school Donnie joined the U.S. Air Force and served 20 years. He was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB, MI; RAF Lakenheath, England; Tinker AFB, OK; Zaragoza AB, Spain; and Dyess AFB, TX. He retired from the Air Force in 1994. Not one to sit at home, he started working for the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Abilene, TX. He was the Recreation Center Coordinator at South Park Recreation Center for many years and was promoted to Recreation Division Manager (managing all of the recreation centers). He loved his job and didn’t consider it “work”. He retired in 2019 after 25 years, to move closer to his daughter and grandchildren. Shortly after moving he decided to become a school crossing guard at Schluter Elementary in the neighborhood. The teachers, children and parents loved him, and he loved them. He was the first crossing guard to be put in the school yearbook. Unfortunately, due to illness he had to stop, which he hated.

Donnie and (Elizabeth) Jan Hart were married in May 1979 in Newmarket, England, and had their first child, Tamara, in December 1979. Their second child, Marcus, was born in July 1982.

Donnie loved sports and played on several squadron basketball, softball, ping pong, and flag football teams while in the Air Force. He also started officiating high school football, basketball, softball and volleyball games. He was selected to officiate state basketball and softball games. He became the District Commissioner and Umpire in Chief for softball in Abilene and did those duties for approximately 25 years. He was inducted into the Texas Softball Hall of Fame for commissioners in January 2024.

Donnie was an avid sports fan, he loved the Indianapolis Colts (football), the LA Dodgers (baseball), and the Boston Celtics (basketball). But more than anything he loved his family.

Donnie accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at age 13, and God called him home on March 27, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsey and Eddie Ruth Hart; father-in-law Marvin Stone; 2 sisters-in-law Jean Latimore and Mary Hart; and brother-in-law Gary Hahn.

Donnie leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Elizabeth Jan Hart; his daughter, Tamara Jan Friday (Christopher); his son, Marcus Dwayne Hart (Kristy Whiteley); two brothers, Jerry Latimore and Lindsey Hart, Jr.; granddaughters, Mallory Jan Friday, Elizabeth (Izzy) Michelle Hart, and Abigail Ann Friday; grandson, Kameron Blake Whiteley; mother-in-law Iris Stone; 2 brothers-in-law, Marvin Stone (Sharon) and Timothy Stone; 2 sisters-in law, Joyce Hahn and Elaine Alston (Michael).

A visitation for Donnie will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Keller's Old Town Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 220 Keller Parkway, Keller, TX 76248. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 220 Keller Parkway, Keller, TX 76248. A committal service will occur Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.