Thomas E. Dart

Thomas E. Dart passed away Friday, April 3, 2015. He was surrounded by members of his immediate family when he passed. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Genesis United Methodist Church, 7635 S. Hulen, Fort Worth, 76133. Tom was born July 19, 1935, and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Drake University and completed his graduate studies at East Texas State University. Although he studied the ministry and served in several churches in Iowa and as a chaplain's assistant in the National Guard, he found his true ministry by helping other people find meaningful employment, and the area of career placement became his life's work. He began his career at Des Moines Area Community College as a placement director where he helped many disadvantaged youth and young adults find employment opportunities and work. He also served on the Ankeny, Iowa, City Council. He began his work in Texas when he became the placement director at Texas A&M University in Texarkana, Texas. He moved to Fort Worth when he accepted a position as work development specialist at the Westside Workforce in Fort Worth, retiring in 2000. Being a diligent and hard-working individual, he worked for the Fort Worth ISD, J.C. Penney, Costco, and Home Depot following retirement. He was an avid camper and especially enjoyed working as a clerk at Yellowstone National Park, and as maitre'd at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. He was a loving person who enjoyed sharing his professional skills and by serving as a Stephens Minister. His family, his friends and his deep religious faith were important to him. He was also an optimistic person who enjoyed sharing his humor with all those he knew. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Beth of Fort Worth; his son, Brian of Sugar Hill, Ga.; his sister, Judith Reiman of Des Moines, Iowa; his stepdaughter, Stacey Duskey of Hobbs, N.M.; and his stepsons, Andy and Tim Fry of San Jose, Calif., and Niverville, N.Y., respectively. He was also the proud grandfather of five granddaughters.