Kenneth Eugene "Ken" Hart

Kenneth ("Ken") Eugene Hart, 76, of Bryant, AR went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 13, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on June 28, 1948, to the late Dink and Onitia Hart and spent his youth in his beloved community of Republic near Greenbrier, AR. Full of life and mischief, he cherished his time in the Greenbrier school system, where he played baseball and basketball.
Ken was a patriot who was proud to serve his country in the National Guard. He worked in several restaurant establishments over his lifetime and deepened his passion for cooking during his time in the service. As an award-winning barbeque chef who loved to bring people together around the table, he opened his first restaurant, the Anchor Inn, in Russellville, AR, where he cultivated a talent for preparing fish and ribs. He went on to advise other restauranteurs seeking to establish themselves in Arkansas and for a time was a supplier of restaurant equipment. He met his wife, Roseanne, in 1986, and after they married, he opened the Fisherman's Cove restaurant in Haskell, AR, where Arkansans would flock from surrounding towns on Friday and Saturday night, lining up at the door before it opened, just for a taste of Ken's BBQ and fried catfish. According to family and friends, his BBQ sauce and rib rub recipes have no equal.
Ken was a family man through and through. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his family. He was a devoted son to his father Dink and to his cherished mother Onitia, who lived with him until her death in 2021. His youngest brother, Timmy Joe, was the apple of his eye, and he and Jimmy (better known as "Bubba") were the closest of brothers. He loved his daughter, Brandi, with all his heart. They shared a love for serving others, and he could not have been more proud of her accomplishments in the restaurant industry. His wife, Roseanne ("Rosie" to him), was the love of his life, and he loved his stepdaughter, Ashley, like his own. He never tired of bragging about her, and his "Georgetown University Dad" caps were prized possessions. Last but not least, each of the five times he became a grandfather were among his proudest moments.
With his big personality, he collected friends everywhere he went. He loved to be outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He relished his time camping, hunting, and feeding his buddies in the great outdoors. He cherished all of his friends, and there was a special place in his heart for his good friend, Harley, whom he loved like a brother.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, and his niece Danielle Paulina Hart.
Ken is survived by his wife Roseanne; his daughter Brandi Linn Hart; his stepdaughter Ashley Epperson Bailey and son-in-law Thomas Hanrahan; his grandsons Austin Hart, Brandon Hart, Adrian Embry, Keyshawn Embry, and Blaine Hanrahan; and his niece Christina Hart.
In his later years, Ken had three much-loved pups – Gage, Charlie, and Rudy. He is survived by Rudy who misses him very much. When Ken would eat, Rudy would always get a little, too, and Rudy had the time of his life riding in the car with Ken, and even in his grocery cart at Walmart.
Visitation will be from 1:00pm to 2:00pm on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home.
Funeral will be at 2:00pm on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home with burial following to Republican Cemetery.