Darryl Jay Hart

Darryl Jay Hart

Darryl Jay Hart was born October 28, 1961 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to Lt. Col. Osborne M. and Louise Gallego Hart. Both parents preceded him in death. Darryl departed this life Thursday, July 1, 2021 at his residence.

He was a graduate of Carolina Day School; 1985 graduate of University of NC at Chapel Hill, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations and 1986 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity; life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; 2009-10 Sire Archon of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity of Gamma Upsilon Boule, and life member of the NAACP. He received the 2000 Funeral Director and Mortician Association of NC, Inc. Professional of the Year award; 2003 Resolution of Appreciation from City of Asheville Board of Adjustment; 2000 Appreciation for Leadership as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation; 2004-2006; Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, Inc. 2006 Community Humanitarian Award; 2004 Recognition of and Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership as Chairman of the Board Better Business Bureau of Asheville and Western NC; Asheville Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Leadership and Vision Award as Chairman of the Board 1999-2000; a member of the Carlton Club and former member of the Board of Directors at YMI Cultural Center and Mission St. Joseph Hospital. Darryl was also a member of the Western District Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (State and National) since 1988. In the Western District, he served as former Treasurer and chairman of the Education Committee. He was also President of the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service in 1999.

After completion of his education, Darryl worked with his father at Hart Funeral Service as Funeral Director and Embalmer. Upon the death of Mr. Osborne M. Hart he became owner/manager, continuing the practice of utmost professionalism and compassion. His motto was always, "Our aim is to be deserving of your confidence."

Surviving are his wife, Karen Green Hart of the home; son William Demarcus Hart of Asheville; daughters, Whittney Williams of Charlotte, Jazmyn Williams (Jacob) of Asheville, and Daryl Jayda Hart of Asheville; brothers, Osborne Hart (Ellen) of Philadelphia, PA and Gregory Hart (Maggie) of Tampa, FL; sister, Donna H. Bennett of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Jaydon Hopkins, Xavier Hart, Jaylee Monteith, and Jordan Monteith, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services will be held Friday July 9, 2021, 12:00 noon at St. Matthias Episcopal Church where he was a member. Father Jim Abbott and Father Francis King will officiate, burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Public viewing will be Thursday July 8, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Service.

***PER THE FAMILY'S REQUEST, MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THE FUNERAL HOME AND THE CHURCH***

The service will also be live streamed on the Hart Funeral Service Facebook page and YouTube channel. The links are found on our website under Mr. Hart's obituary.

The Hart family would also like to say a special Thank You to the following individuals: Memory Care, Mrs. Alice Clement, Diane & Danny Edwards, Demetra Harris, Dr. David Johnson, Terry & Donna Moore, Denise & Anthony Robinson, Krysten Shephard, Hart Funeral Service Staff, Gale & AC Thomas, and AT & Catrina Thompson.