Larry Stevens Hart

OZARK…Mr. Larry Stevens Hart (CWO, United States Navy, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died late Thursday evening, August 8, 2024, at his home. He was 90.

 Graveside services, with full military honors, will be held at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a veteran’s service organization of the donor’s choice.

 Mr. Hart was born on July 31, 1934, in Tampa, Florida to Jack B. Hart and India Treeves and attended St. Petersburg High School. He joined the United States Navy at 17 years of age. His early years in the Navy included serving two winter cruises in the Korean War aboard the Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB64) and the Heavy Cruiser USS Rochester (CA124) providing gunfire support to NATO forces ashore. Larry progressed through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer and to Chief Warrant Officer with additional duties aboard aircraft carriers, OIC of a Presidential EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Support Team, and in-country (I Corps) service in Vietnam as an EOD Team Chief. Mr. Hart was awarded numerous decorations and citations for service in Korean and Vietnam Wars. Upon retirement from the navy Larry attended Tampa College, received a degree in business administration, and accepted a job with a major non-profit organization in Pinellas County, Florida where he remained for eighteen years dedicated to helping the physically and mentally challenged, retiring as director of industrial operations. 

 Following his second retirement he worked for various companies as a UXO (unexploded ordnance) supervisor and technician clearing hazardous munitions throughout the United States and was a former UXO subcontractor at the Ft. Rucker Alabama Gunnery Range. Mr. Hart was a member of the United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association, Military Officers Association, National Rifle Association, Tri State Gun Club, Disabled American Veterans, Fraternal Order of the United States Navy Underwater Swimmer School, and other veteran’s and civil organizations. Larry was a past member of the Ft. Rucker Commanding Generals Retiree Council and served on two 2nd District AL congressional representatives veterans advisory councils. Larry was a dedicated veteran advocate, co-founder of LAVA (Lower Alabama Veterans Alliance) and firearms collector. “Gunner” Hart was an organ donor and member of Westview United Methodist Church in Ozark. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (Ginny) Hart, his mother, India Treeves and father, Jack B. Hart, both of Tampa, FL. 

 Survivors include son Robert S. Hart of Quemado, New Mexico; daughter, Cheryl D Hart of Grand Forks, North Dakota; daughter-in-law, Teresa Acker, Birmingham; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a very close special love and companion, Ms. Gail Jones, Enterprise, Alabama.