John M.S.D

Bettie" Moore Hart. He went to the Lord on May 12, 2016, peacefully and surrounded by family at home.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2016 at Emken-Linton. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park. Visitation will be 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, beloved brother Harold Bentley Hart, and wife Betty Jean Davidson Hart. He is survived by wife, H. Tish Hart, sons David Hart (Ana) and John Henry Hart (Susan). Daughters Rebecca White (Ian) and Melinda Faulk (Robert), Michelle S. Wilson (Jim) and Jose Miguel Salabarria. Grandchildren Angela Hart, Tony Hart, Clint O'Neal (Lauren), Ian Hart (Jaime), Victor Hart, Amy O'Neal Alexander (Adam), Anthony Conde, Craig Conde, Maria Fernanda Fajardo Tejada, Cyler Salabarria and Jason Salabarria. Great grandchildren Dylan O'Neal, Hunter Hart, Evan O'Neal Burke, Isabelle Hart, Gavin Alexander and Caleb Alexander.

The Hart family lived in Jacksboro most of John's life then moved to Gainesville, TX, where he graduated from high school in 1942 at age 17. After graduation, he attended one year at Gainesville Junior College, then enlisted as a USAAF cadet. After completion as a pilot, he entered the B-17 Bomber Training Program. He flew missions in Europe with the 301st Bomb Group 15th Air Force. Some of the missions were to Germany, Yugoslavia, Austria and Italy. Some of the targets were Bologna, Lienz, Munich, Reginsburg, Vienna and others. Following the war, he remained in the Air Force Reserves, flying from Hensley and Ellington fields. He was C. O. of the Air Force Flight in Bay City, TX, and retired after a total of twenty-two years with the rank of Lt. Colonel having received numerous medals and commendations.

He furthered his education at South Texas College in Houston, Texas Tech, University of Texas in Austin and Baylor University where he graduated with a DDS from Baylor Dental School in 1949, where he formed a lifelong bond with his classmates-the 49'ers. He attended the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, TX, and received a Master's of Science Degree in Dentistry in 1964. He practiced dentistry in Palacios, TX, from 1949 until 1962. Practiced Orthodontics in Texas City from 1964 until 1993.

After WWII he married Betty Jean Davidson in 1943 and had four children. Betty jean died in 1988 after a battle with lung cancer. In 1989 he married Tish Salabarria.

In addition to family and work, John enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He had a fruit farm in South Texas and a ranch in Lampasas county where he hunted, raised cattle and goats with his brother, family and friends. John was a charitable man with a deep sense of responsibility to family, friends, church, community and county. He gave generously of his time and resources. He is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and member of Southwestern Theological Seminary President's Club. He is a 32nd Mason with a 50-year Masonic service award. He has life memberships in the American College of Dentists, Texas Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, The Retired Officers Association, Texas City Heritage Association, The National Rifle Association and the 301st Veterans Association. He participated in the 100 Million Dollar Club of Shriner Hospitals for Crippled Children. John is an active member of the Texas City First Baptist Church (FBC).

Serving as pallbearers will be Stephen Beene, José Boix, Hutch Hutchinson, David Moss, Tom Walenta and Jim Wilson. Honorary pallbearers include Ben Levisee, Jim Silvers, and members of his Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, contributions can be made to the Texas City First Baptist Church (FBC).

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