CHARLES DAVID HART: May 5, 1945—August 27, 2024
Charles David Hart was born on May 5,1945 in Parsons KS to Charles and Grace Hart. He grew up in Bryan TX, and from an early age, he was an individual thinker, according to his mom, as he took off on his own at two years old to meet his dad at “kool” on the Texas A&M campus.
David graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1963. He attended Texas Tech University (TTU) and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, where he met his lifelong friends and his future wife, Nancy Stephens. David and Nancy were married on May 5, 1967, in Abilene TX. They soon had two girls, Page and Linsey.
David had more careers than most people and was a true entrepreneur. His particular favorites were homebuilding and the ice business. This love for change led the family all over Texas, continuing to develop friendships as they went. He loved traveling, much of which revolved around his love of fishing and sports. He was a unique person, known for his “Davidisms,” full of surprises and suggestions for all. David loved his many friends and family deeply.
Those he loved include his two daughters, Page Heinrich and her husband, Tracy; and Linsey Cheatham and her husband, Scott; all of Lubbock; his sister, Jane Van Guilder of College Station; his brother, Blaine Hart of Bryan; his grandchildren, Austin Heinrich and his wife, Jesse; Kasey Coor and her husband, Mason; Kinsey Heinrich; Ben Cheatham and Sarah Cheatham; and his great-grandchildren, Hallie Heinrich, Callen Coor, and one on the way.
David went to be with his beloved wife Nancy on August 27 after a sudden illness. Family-led services for David (AKA Spanky, Toad, Won’t Do), 79, will be at 10 a.m. on September 6 at the Kent Hance Chapel on the TTU campus. The Rev. Bailey Barkley will officiate. The family requests that everyone wear casual “David” attire.
In honor of his Rockport Baptist Friends, the family requests donations be made to the South Texas Children’s Home @ STCHm.org
Dave Mayfield
RIP David. RIP my friend.
Phil Cox
David and I talked briefly at our 50th. We talked at length on a (coincidental) Houston - Chicago flight in the late '60s. In that dialogue he spoke of forming up a company to process and market crushed, bagged ice to grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. I think it worked out quite well.
Charlotte Cole (Wilson)
I was always impressed with David and his lawn mowing business. He was an incredibly hard worker and I felt like he would be very successful in whatever he attempted and that it would probablly be something unique. I would definitely classify his ice business as unique. He was a good friend from the 7th grade on. We certainly shared some fun times. I am so glad that he came to our 50th! It was great to reconnect.