James T Hart

Jim Hart, a.k.a. Sarge, succumbed to service-related cancer associated with Agent Orange exposure early on the morning of February 11. He passed peacefully at the Hospice House in Eureka, under the overwhelmingly kind care of Hospice nurses and aides. He leaves behind three children, Joshua, Sara, and Jedd; six grandchildren, Nora, Annabel, Burr, Petra, Grace, and Cooper; and a sister, Mary Anne.

He was born in Elmira, New York, and was raised on Air Force bases around the country. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1965-1971, and returned to the States to marry Helen Jan Long, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1987. He moved to Arcata in 1998, and spent the last 22 years of his life dedicated to volunteer work in the community.

During his time in Humboldt, Sarge spent countless hours watching birds at the Marsh, spending time in the redwoods, and enjoying Farmers’ Market. He served on the Mad River Community Honor Guard for 14 years, participated for over a decade in the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program, volunteered with the VA to drive veterans to Fort Miley in San Francisco for medical treatment, and gave years of service with the local VFW, North Coast Stand Down, Marine Corps League, American Legion, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

He was relentless in his dedication to get the City of Arcata to paint the flagpole on the Plaza.

Jim Hart lived a life of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. His believed in God, Country, Corps, and Family, and his life was a reflection of those ideals. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata. He is loved, and he will be missed.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, February 24. Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by military burial at Ocean View Cemetery at approximately 11:45, followed by a reception to celebrate his life at the Arcata Veterans’ Hall. BBQ will be served beginning at 2:00 p.m. Sides and dessert are potluck.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to either the Hospice of Humboldt Caregivers Fund or the American Legion Post 274.

Ooh rah.

Background photo by Florian GIORGIO on Unsplash

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