Donald Royce Hart

Donald (Don) Royce Hart, age 91, passed away at 11:51 am Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at The Benton House of Woodstock in Woodstock, GA.

A graveside service will be hosted on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Macedonia Cemetery in Rolla, MO.

Don was born on January 15, 1935, in Kirksville, Missouri the son of Virgil and Lela Evelyn (Dyer) Hart.

He was united in marriage to Irene Ruth Havens on May 29, 1957 at Macedonia Baptist Church.

Survivors include his son, Kevin Hart (Tammie); his daughter Barbara Shearholdt; his brother, Dwight Hart; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Phil Havens (Connie), Blanche Lortz, and June Hitt; his grandchildren, Alex Hart (Haley), Logan Hart and Cassie Shearholdt (Peter Derk); and his great-grandchild, Miles Hart.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife on January 28, 2016.

Don grew up in Greentop, MO and graduated from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now known as Missouri University of Science & Technology) in Rolla, MO in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Don spent the majority of his professional career with MoDot District 3 in Hannibal, MO where he began as a Civil Engineer in the Design Department. While in this position, he continued his education to ultimately achieve his Professional Engineering (PE) license. He later moved to the Maintenance Department, where he ended his career as a District Maintenance Engineer. Throughout his MoDOT career, his dedication and focus were always on meeting and exceeding the department's high standards for safety and service understanding the impact this had on the families served.

Don was a strong man of faith who served numerous years as a deacon and a choir tenor at Fifth Street Baptist Church in downtown Hannibal. It was within this church family and community that he and Irene raised and thrived with their family. If the church doors were open, Donald and Irene, with kids in tow, were always there to lend a hand or share in fellowship with others. Upon moving to Georgia in 2005, they quickly became members of the First Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA where they, and later he, would continue until his passing.

Don found joy in working on cars, building/fixing/engineering things, cultivating the family garden, and taking annual pilgrimages with friends to TX to spend winters. Mechanically inclined and always willing to help, Don was the person neighbors could always count on to engineer solutions. His free time included playing softball and volleyball, as well as card and board games with family and friends.

Don will be remembered for his generous spirit, strong work ethic, inquisitive nature, and the love he showed to those around him. All who knew him will deeply miss him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Macedonia Cemetery Association where Don will join his wife in final rest. Checks should be payable and mailed to: Macedonia Cemetery Association