Ralph Edward Hart, Jr.

Ralph Edward Hart, Jr., of Lake Mexia, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at age 70.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department. 

Ralph was born November 14, 1953, in Louisiana to Ralph Edward Hart, Sr. and Deloris Jean Noe Hart. Ralph grew up in Lamoni, Iowa on his grandfather’s farm, where he helped the family with the farming.

Ralph served in the U.S. Air Force from 1975 – 1977, working in aerospace control and warning system operations, and was an E-4 Sergeant when he was honorably discharged. 

Ralph was married to his first wife Wendy while in the military. He worked as a photographer of nature and landmarks, with his own studio in New York, when he was younger, and had some of his photos of the Statue of Liberty hung in Ellis Island by the Historical Society. 

Later in life, he was united in marriage with Alice Faulk and they lived in Corsicana until they bought property at Lake Mexia where they moved in 1990. He worked as a carpenter earlier in life, and in Mexia at Nautilus, and then as a Lube Mechanic for Quick Car in Mexia until he retired. 

Ralph joined the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department in March 2009, and served as a volunteer at fires and on the fire rescue team until the very day he passed away. 

Ralph loved his work as a photographer and would teach others about photography; also his work as a carpenter, making jewelry and crafting, and tending his roses (which he tended like they were his babies.) 

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Cherryl Smith; and his wife, Alice. 

He is survived by 2 sisters and a brother; his daughter, Christina Hart; 2 grandsons; nephews and a niece; 1 great nephew; 2 great nieces; and 2 great-great nieces; and special nephew and friends, Gerald and Tammy Smith and all the members of the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department.