JACK O. HART Jack O. Hart, born August 6, 1935, in Jackson, MI, to Jack and Ethel Hart departed from this world Feb. 19, 2016, at 12:12pm at home. He is survived by his wife Dee Hart, his brother Jim Hart (Loretta), children Gale, Jack, Susan and Richele, three grandchildren and a great-grandson. Jack was one resilient, tough guy whose life would read like a good book. Born at the tail end of the Depression he knew what it was to be poor. As a child Jack spent time on a farm where he developed an affinity toward animals and an ability to nurture, hense his green thumb. He liked to sew, cook, bake and became an avid reader. His family moved to So. Cal. where as a young man Jack lived life hard. He drove fast cars, often outrunning somebody or some thing, counted cards in Vegas and Reno where he made a living until he was politely asked to leave. Jack owned a fleet of Ready Mix concrete trucks, an excavation business, nightclubs/bars, cooked in a mining camp and owned a few car lots the last of which was Hart's Auto Sales. Mostly, Jack lived a lot of life, as he put it, "doing what he wanted to do;" that might be taking a nap on the front lawn with his horse lying down next to him and his Great Dane by his side, tending his roses, wrenching on cars, dredging for gold or making some quick cash at the pool table. He loved the lakes to fish, to swim, water ski and hang out on houseboats. In the early years that's where the party was. In the latter years that's where Jack would enjoy the solitude and calm spending time painting on canvas with a fishing pole hanging off the side of the boat. Jack was a sweet baby boy who turned hell-raiser and settled into an adorable, gruff, kind-hearted man. Let it be said, you were a lucky girl if you could get him to sing "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" to you. His quick wit and good humor would keep you laughing and leave you smiling.



Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 5, 2016