Jeffrey Don Hart

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Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Lawton, OK, Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with burial in the Frederick Cemetery, Frederick, OK under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.  Masks are requested by the Family.

Jeffrey Don Hart was born to Bobby Glenn and Charla Dee (Duke) Hart on September 21, 1960 in Sentinel, OK and departed this life in Lawton, OK on one of his favorite days, opening day of dove season, September 1, 2021 at the age of 60 years, 11 months and 11 days.

Living in Gage, OK during his dad’s first year of coaching, the family soon moved to Temple, OK and eventually on to Altus where Jeff started the first grade. This young Altus Bulldog soon began excelling in sports and the rest was history. Simply put, Jeff Hart possessed a large helping of that which cannot be coached, HEART!  With determination, charisma, some grit and a whole lot of crazy, Jeff began wooing Altus fans on the gridiron. This translated to a 4-year starting position from 1979-82 on the Cameron Aggies squad as he won the hearts of Southwest Oklahomans and the respect of worthy opponents.

Known as an outstanding football player at Altus High School during the 1977 and 1978 seasons, Jeff still holds a Career Receptions record from the 1978 season, i.e., 52 receptions for 968 yards. He made All-State in 1978, All-Area Lineman for the Lawton Constitution, KWHW Athlete of the Year, spring of 1979. He also ran on the Mile Relay for the State Runner-up track team.

Jeff’s football career at Cameron University, seasons 1979-1982 was equally outstanding and his records include most interceptions for the season, most career interceptions, most punt returns for the season, most career punt returns. In 1980 he had 87 tackles (42 unassisted), Honorable Mention District 9 defensive backfield, one Golden Hand, one Wild Hors award and the team won the Boot Hill Bowl in Dodge City, Kansas. In 1981 he was All-District 9 strong safety and Player of the Week. Cameron played in the NAIA National semi-finals that year. His career records include 3 fumble recoveries, 13 interceptions, 105 kickoff and punt returns, and 272 tackles (141 unassisted).

During his college summers, Jeff worked at Cotton Electric Cooperative in Walters which became a fulltime job in 1983. He first served as a lineman for the company and worked his way to supervisor of engineering, which he held for many years and was named employee of the year in 2015. He retired in 2020 with 37 years on the job.

Jeff was a member of Union Valley Baptist Church, Cookietown, OK. He enjoyed hunting, spending time in the loading room, fishing, golfing, dominos, attending ballgames, playing men's softball back in the day, and cooking. He refereed football for years and was proud to have refereed at the state championship level. He also kept the score books for Coliseum basketball for a number of years. Jeff wore flip flops and shorts year around. He loved attending Altus class reunions whether it was his class or not. Deer Camp and Camargo were 2 of his favorite places to be. And did we mention cooking. He and Juli had visited almost every MLB Stadium and enjoyed going to many music concerts together through the years. He loved hanging with his kids and especially the grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his stepmom, Sandra Sue Hart; and stepdad, Ken Perry.

He is survived by his wife, Juli Gant Hart of the home; his father, Bob Hart of Altus; his mother, Charla Gallagher of Sentinel, OK; 3 children and their spouses, Samantha Don Stepanek and Neil of Yukon, OK, Ashli Brooke Adams and Seth of Monte Vista, CO, Michael Dean Hart and Morgan of Edmond, OK; his sister and brother-in-law, Sherri Newport and David of Peoria, AZ; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry DeFord and Sherry of Norman, OK; His sisters-in-law, Kerri Humble and Andy of Yukon, and Lisa Coatney of Stillwater; 6 grandchildren, Todd Adams, Taylor Adams, Lincoln Stepanek, Ralston Stepanek, Becklynn Hart and Walker Hart; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins other relatives and a host of friends too many to number.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations can be made to Class of 1979 at NBC Bank, attention Elizabeth Marche, P.O. Box 598, Altus, OK 73522 or to SWOSU Football Legacy Fund, c/o SWOSU Foundation Inc., 100 Campus Drive, Weatherford, OK 73096 (www.GiveToSWOSU.com) or to Tipton Children’s Home, P.O. Box 370, Tipton, OK 73576