WALNUT HILL, Fla. – Donald Ray Hart passed away at the age of 81 on May 23, 2011.

He was born in St. Louis, Mo. on Nov. 1, 1929. In 1957, he moved to the Chicago, Ill. area and in 1976 moved to the Cleveland, Ohio area. In the mid-1990s Don relocated to Walnut Hill, Fla. where he lived the remainder of his life and peacefully passed away in his home with his family members at his side.

At the age of 15, Don began his lifelong career with the railroad in St. Louis as a mail courier, then rose through the ranks and was promoted to the Chicago office as a Freight Claim Adjuster. In 1976, he was promoted to Freight Claim District Manager and moved to the Cleveland area. In 1987, Don retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad after 42 years of dedicated service. Upon retirement Don began his own company, Granite City Enterprises.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Emma E. (Sommer) Hart; his two children, Michael R. Hart and wife, Bethany, and Donna L. Hart-Miller and husband, Edward; two grandsons, Aaron P. Miller and Jeremy C. Miller and one great grandson, Lochlan Fleming-Miller.

In Don’s leisure time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, flea marketing and traveling with his family. He was an active member and trustee of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, Ill. and the president of the Smart Acres Home Association in Darien, Ill. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Atmore.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Covenant Hospice for the care and comfort for Don and his family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Covenant Hospice of Milton 6479 Caroline St. Suite B, Milton, FL., 32570 or to First United Methodist Church 311 South Pensacola Ave. Atmore, AL. 36502.

A memorial service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at The United Methodist Church Atmore.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. of Atmore is in charge of arrangements.