Gary T. Hart

Gary Thomas Hart, age 83, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side, in La Feria, Texas.

Gary was born in Denver, Colorado to Thomas William John Hart and Nellie Mae O’Brien. The Hart family settled in Lakewood, Colorado in the early 1930’s. They established a thriving business, named Hart’s Corner, on a popular wagon trail, serving pioneers hardware and feed supplies, groceries, gasoline, alcohol and lodging.

Gary attended St. Francis High School and graduated in 1957. Gary was involved in many extracurricular activities. He was an actor and was a member of the Military Dandies dancing club. Gary was active in sports, including boxing, baseball, football, and golfing.

Gary served in the United States Navy as a Quartermaster from 1957-1962. After an honorable discharge from the military, Gary went on to help his father run the family business at Hart’s Corner.

Gary later returned to college and became a master electrician in 1977. He served a long career at King Soopers and quit working in 1997, at the age of 57. Gary was adamant that he did not retire. Instead, he quit to start his next career as a travel companion to Thata.

Gary was married twice. In 1968, he married Peggy Mehall and became a stepfather to Donald and Thomas Mihalek. Gary and Peggy had two children, Janet and Sarah. In 1981, Gary married the love of his life, Thata Francis Beltz. While they did not have any children together, Gary became a stepfather to Donald, Earl and Mike Kastle. Gary and Thata spent 40 years together, until she passed away in 2021.

In 1997, Gary and Thata sold their house in Lakewood, Colorado and bought a motorhome. They spent the next two decades traveling all across the United States and Canada. Their first trip was taken across the Alaskan highway where they spent four months enjoying the Alaskan wilderness. They visited every state and every province in the United States and Canada. Near the end of their motorhome adventures, Gary and Thata settled in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Gary spent time in his man cave, researching exotic travel locations. He would run into the house, and say to his wife, “What do you think about this place?” Thata would always say “When are we going?” Gary was grateful for Thata’s adventurous spirit. Together they traveled from one end of the world to the other by air travel and cruise ships. Gary loved every place but Nova Scotia and Jerusalem held a special place in his heart.

In the Rio Grande Valley, and all along their various travel locations, Gary and Thata met many new friends. Gary and Thata held friendships in high regards, were the type of people you wanted to be with, and practiced gratitude in every aspect of life.

Gary’s life was very diverse. He enjoyed woodworking and won awards for antique refinishing. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying golfing, hunting, camping, boating and fishing. He won a fishing derby in Homer Alaska, catching a 277-pound halibut! Gary was also active in the church and the community. He always saw the sunny side up and was full of humor and respect. A humble and quiet man who will be greatly missed.

Gary is survived by his children Janet and Sarah Hart, and his grandson Anthony Smith, his stepchildren Donald Hart and Thomas Mihalek, Don Kastle (Savanna and Weston) Earl and Kim Kastle (Tim and Rochelle) and Mike Kastle (Josh), along with 11 great grandchildren, his sister Jocelyn Hicks, his niece Devra Lennon (John) and nephew Terry Hicks (Michelle).

A Celebration of Life service will be held in La Feria, Texas on November 20th at First United Methodist Church 318 South Main Street, and a special internment in Eads, Colorado, for both Gary and Thata Hart in 2023. More details forthcoming.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heavenlygracergv.com for the Hart family.