J. C. Hart

J.C. (Buddy) Hart, 88, a World War II veteran who spent 17 months in a German prisoner's of war camp, died Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Services will be held Saturday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Southern Hills church of Christ, 3364 Buffalo Gap Road with John Walker, Robert Renfro and Charles Anderson officiating. Visitation held on Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will be in Ross Cemetery in Baird at 1 p.m. with full military honors. Buddy was born to Maude and Fred Hart on December 14, 1918 and graduated from Baird High School in 1935. He worked for two years with his father in the oil fields before enrolled in Abilene Christian College. In 1940, he joined the air force and serving as radio operator-gunner, his B-24 plane was downed over Regensburg, Germany. He was in three prisoner camps at Heidetrug, East Prussia, Gross Tychaw and Barth, Germany. He was liberated by the Russians in 1945. He received the Air Medal with six gold leaf clusters and the Purple Heart. His mother was presented the Presidential Citation. Buddy returned home and finished his college education, graduating from ACC in 1947. After that, he started a 37-year career with Shell Oil Company as an oil purchasing agent and lived in Denver City and then Midland. On October 19, 1947, he married Joyce Yvonne Miller of Eula at the home of his sister in Lubbock. Buddy retired from Shell in 1979 and they moved to Abilene. He also worked for several other oil companies for a short time. In 1989, Joyce died after a long battle with cancer. In 1992, he married Norma Phillips of Abilene. Buddy was a member of the Southern Hills church of Christ. Two years ago, Charles Anderson wrote a biography, "Buddy", about Buddy's war experience. Buddy is survived by his wife, Norma, stepsons John Phillips and wife Lori ,of Peculiar, Mo., and Rick Phillips of Fort Worth; five step-grandsons, Micah, Bradley, Spencer, and Ian Phillips, and Cameron Austin; a step-great grandson, Seth Phillips; a sister, Mary Jo Garner, of Odessa; a brother, Bill Hart of Baird; and cousins Marj Sowell and husband Virgil of Durant, OK, Marge Shaw and husband Art of Midland, Charles Graves and, wife, Dorothy of Anson, and Mike Hart and wife, Janet, of Carrollton and a number of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Phil Jones, Robert Renfro, Dennis Manley, and nephews Lynn Garner, Charles Hart and Keith Hart. Memorials may be made in honor of Buddy Hart to the donor's favorite charity.