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Laverne Memorial Cemetery

Laverne, Harper County, OK

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Thank You For Your Service!

Harold Russell "H.R." Hart

February 14, 1929 ~ June 26, 2021

Harold Russell (H.R.) Hart died peacefully surrounded by his family on June 26, 2021 at the age of 92. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in the Billings Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Ronnie Hopkins officiating. Burial will follow at the Laverne Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

H.R., son of Thomas Jay and Nellie Abbey Hart, was born February 14, 1929. He was born and raised on a farm 12 miles south of Laverne and attended the Luther Hill School through 8th grade. He then attended Laverne High School until graduation in 1947. H.R. took part in all sports and was President of his graduating class. He started working for Phillips Pipeline in 1947 and retired from there in 1985 at 56 years old. He was in U.S. Marines Corp from 1952 to 1954 when he was Honorably Discharged. His Boot Camp was in San Diego and then Santa Anna, California and then Japan.

H.R. married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lea Aldridge, September 25, 1949. They were looking forward to celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on September 25, 2019, but on September 7, Mary Lea went home to the Lord. They had five children, two boys, and three girls. H.R. was the youngest of 11 children. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of Woodward Christian Church. He loved all sports and was an avid golfer. After retiring, H.R. and Mary Lea spent lots of time traveling and camping and doing things for their kids and grandkids, and enjoying everything. H.R. and Mary Lea entertained in their Laverne home, the Alumni Classes of 1946 and 1947 every five years until they moved. At age 82 years, they bought a beautiful home in Woodward, Oklahoma in January 2012. H.R. spent lots of time working in the yard with help from wonderful children and made it into a show place. They were blessed with a cockerpoo dog, Zoey, that stayed with H.R. every move he made. After Zoey passed, Annie, the Aire Dale came to live with them and gave them great companionship and comfort. Practically everywhere that H.R. went, you would probably find Annie in the back seat.

H.R. was idolized by his grandsons because of his exemplarily, humble, loving teaching ways. They always said that "Grandpa was one tough SOB!" His sons and daughters adored him, claiming him to be their "King of Harts". He continually guided them through so many life lessons up through the end of his days. But most appreciated was the love, respect, and faithfulness that he showed their mother... for together, they were the true meaning of a forever love affair.

H.R. is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lea of almost 70 years; son, Jay Lynn Hart; parents, Jay and Nell Hart, brothers, Fred, Homer, Walter, Cecil, Leonard, Don, and Raymond; sisters, Iola Smith, Fay Harris, and Irene Neeley.

Survivors include daughters Gale Green and husband Alan of Oklahoma City, Vicki Hart of Woodward, and Mona Schmitz and husband Kenny of Woodward, son Ray Hart and wife Lisa of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, grandchildren Jerod Green, Brian Green and wife Makenna, Jason Green and wife Shannon, Derrick Pemberton and wife Jamie, Trevor Pemberton, Tanner Schmitz, Conner Schmitz, Parker Schmitz, Kaleigh Angleton, Evan Hart, Karlee Hart, Chanse Hart and wife Lindsay; great-grandchildren Leland and Alayna Pemberton, Fisher and Scarlett Green, Jack and Halle Green, Nobel and Cassien Hart.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Woodward or the First Christian Church of Laverne with the funeral home accepting the contributions.