Ray Hart

Ray Hart, a long time resident of Crestline, passed away at home on January 24, 2026 despite all of his efforts to and scream his way out of cancer...we think it has more to do with no longer being able to eat ice cream, but what do we know??? His family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate professionals at Bear Valley Hospice, as well as neighbors and friends whose kindness made this transition a little easier for all.
Ray was born in El Paso, Texas, grew up in Monrovia and raised his family in Pomona before retiring "up the hill." He spent much of his adult life as a bus driver for the MTA (formerly RTD). Anyone who has witnessed him driving down the hill knows those must have been some scary rides for his passengers. Brake! Brake! Even after losing an eye to cancer, Ray continued to drive all over the place, some might think while he had his remaining eye closed.
In 2002, Ray and his wife, Barbara, retired to Crestline to begin a new adventure in the snow. In reality, it was just so he could find a whole new crop of people who had never heard his corny dad jokes and one-liners. Ray was never one to sit still. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, reliability, and a lifelong habit of arriving everywhere far, far too early. If time were only money, he would have retired with millions from all those hours waiting. He was often seen wearing his U.S. Navy baseball cap in honor of his service, though the roles he cherished most were those of husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and neighbor.
Many on the mountain will remember Ray as half of Hart to Hart DJs, whose music brought joy to events throughout the community and beyond. He had a special passion for playing for special needs groups and senior citizens-people he believed deserved to dance the most and who embraced the music with open hearts. He even continued playing music after losing his hearing...we just didn't have the heart to tell him the volume wasn't on. Ray also spent several years as a "box boy" at Stater Brothers in Arrowhead, a job he loved because it allowed him to connect with tourists, residents, and longtime neighbors...or was it because it allowed him early access to mark downs and day-old bakery items. We will never know.
Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara (Cochran) who is sure to have earned some kind of medal for her decades of combat service; his daughter Michelle (Stu) Schnable and their children Rayme, Callie, and Tanner; and his son Robbie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, and most recently his son Richard (Dawn, Shyra, Donald, Erika).
Services will be held at Francis Xavier Cabrini Church, 23079 Crest Forest Dr, Crestline, Ca on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:30am, with a reception to follow. In remembrance of Ray, and in lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to eat some kind of dish with chili, corn, and Fritos in it and call it vegetarian, spend some time at the dog park, turn up your music and dance, or simply check in on your family and neighbors-both on the hill and beyond.