Reverend David L. Hart

The Reverend David L. Hart was welcomed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

David was born in Jacksonville, Florida to The Rev. Dr. George F. Hart and Violet Mappus Hart.

At the age of 8, his family moved to Huntsville, Alabama where his father pastored at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. David attended Huntsville High School where he lettered in football and basketball - leading to him playing semi-professional basketball during his senior year. Also during his high school career, he achieved the level of Eagle Scout.

After graduating from high school in 1960, he attended Newberry College on a full football scholarship. He played both offensive and defensive end - surrendering his two front teeth for the team! During the summers of 61, 62, and 63; he was fortunate enough to work on the test stand for the Saturn V rocket with NASA in Huntsville, Alabama.

In the summer of his Senior Year in 1964, he enlisted in the Army Reserves/Signal Corp. Later that same year, he was hired to be the Assistant Football Line Coach at his high school alma mater, Huntsville High School, where he helped to take the team to the state play-offs.

It was the spring of 1962, while at Newberry, he met the love of his life, Paula G. Kattenhorn, on a blind date. David and Paula were married the summer of 1965 and have been married for 59 exciting years.

In 1964, David graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science, with a minor in History from Newberry College. He then continued his studies at Alabama A & M University and graduated in 1971 with a Masters in School Administration. He began teaching Economics and History at Huntsville High School for 3 years, at which point they moved to Guntersville, Alabama, where he became the Head Coach and Athletic Director and he continued to teach Economics and History at Guntersville High School.

Then in 1974, he felt called to the ministry and moved to Columbia, South Carolina to attend the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 1978. It was in March of 1977 when their first daughter, Katharine, was born.

He received the call to minister at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maryville, Tennessee in 1978. He was active in the Maryville community and became a Rotarian. 

It was in 1982 that Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Athens, Georgia extended him a call. He served the church and community faithfully for 26 years. It was here (in January of 1983) that his second daughter, Elizabeth, was born.

David was a loving and supportive father in all of the girls endeavors - flag corp, softball, basketball, soccer, and chorus and continued to be a supportive grandfather throughout numerous soccer seasons, Tae Kwon Do, baseball, basketball, chorus, track, and pole vaulting… and of course the occasional fishing and the driving range. 

He was a member of Rotary, President of the first board of the ARK, and a supporter of IHN/Family Promise. He was a facilitator for the synod-wide youth event, “Life”. He decided to retire from the ministry in 2008. Upon retirement, he worked for Novus Way, where he worked for the three Lutheran Youth Camps throughout the southeastern United States: Lutheridge (NC), Lutherock (NC), and helped found Lutheranch (AL).

He loved his vacation trips with his family and friends - trips to the mountains at Lutheridge with best friends, the late Rev. Philip Hugel, his wife, Susan Hugel, their daughter Beth and her family. Trips to Tybee Island and Amelia Island were especially his favorite. He thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the sun, fishing, and playing golf. His favorite past-time was playing golf and was quite ecstatic when he finally got a hole-in-one, which he was so happy that it was witnessed by his dear friends, George Pearson, Ross Perry, and Corwin Knestrick, at the University of Georgia Golf Course.

He leaves many who will cherish their memories with him. He was preceded in death by his parents, The Reverend Dr. George F. Hart and Violet Mappus Hart, his grandson, Brian David Hart, and his niece, Lindsay Hart.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Entombment will follow at Athens Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Claire Boehlke, James Duffie, Gene Lou, George Pearson, Tanner Pearson and Larry Saye. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Paula K. Hart, his daughters Katharine Peterson (Duane) and Elizabeth Brown (Marqueis); his grandchildren: Andrew Hart, Alanna Hart, Garrison Mosier, Landon Brown, Tanner Peterson (Breanna), and Britni Toole (Jerrid)l two great-grandchildren: Oakley Toole and Waylon Peterson, and a brother, Jonathan Hart (Donna) and nephew, Adam Hart (Katie).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 800 West Lake Drive, Athens, GA 30606; The Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/ ; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com