Obituary of Thomas William Hart, Sr.

A vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, and Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Camas, WA for Tom Hart, who died Monday, January 10, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. He was 95 years old. Mr. Hart was born April 16, 1915, in Malta, Montana. He moved to Bellingham, WA where he graduated from Whatcom High School in1933 and in 1935 he graduated from Bellingham Business College. While living in Bellingham, Tom met his wife, Helen, on a blind date. They were married on Sept 23, 1939, and moved to Camas, which became their home for the next 72 years. Tom continued his education taking numerous correspondence classes from UW and UO, graduated from a 4 year course at Crown Zellerbach Paper School in 1949, then graduated from LaSalle Extension University in 1965, obtained his Washington State certificate as a Certified Public Accountant in 1974. He was employed by Crown Zellerbach for 37 years, the majority of his career. His last 17 years as Office & Account Manager of Crown Zellerbach Research Lab. He retired in 1977. Mr. Hart was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church for 72 years and 4th degree member of Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Washington State Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and founding member and first accountant of Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club 8 years. He was treasurer of Knights of Columbus for 2 years and member of Evergreen Toastmaster Club. He loved Square dancing with the Jack & Jill's, and the Happy Rounders. In retirement he, with his wife, traveled all over the world to exotic places. He especially enjoyed the annual family trip to Orcas Island, where he would hike, swim, bike with his family. He loved his family. Some of his most favorite things to do were to visit with all his children and grandchildren, walk around the Crown Park, garden in his yard, and ride his bike for miles upon miles. It brought the biggest smile to his face. He amazed many as they watched him ride his bike up to 25 miles a day around the Camas-Washougal area at 90 years of age, and he continued to enjoy bike riding on the back of a tandem bike with his son Jim through Christmas Eve when he took his final 9 mile ride with lights on. Tom is survived by siblings Betty Robison, of Olympia, Eileen Reed, California, four sons, Thomas W. Hart Jr. and John R Hart both of Tempe, Ariz., Michael S. Hart Cindy and James B. Hart both of Camas; four daughters, Barbara L. Holdt Curt of Ridgefield, WA, and Beverly H. Martin Doug, Sally E. Clark Earnest and Judith M. Kuhn, all of Vancouver, WA, 21 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Leanor Hart August 8, 2003 and his daughter Susan Alice Eiford Hart June 23, 2000, brothers, Roger Hart and Edgar Hart. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668 or to Must Love Dogs NW. "Dad--We'll always remember that special smile, that caring heart, that warm embrace you always gave us. We'll always remember you dad--because there will never be another one to replace you in our hearts, and the love we will always have for you." You started a legacy that will continue forever. You brought new meaning to the word called "HEART. Arrangements are by Straub's Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com