Gary L. Hart was born on September 7, 1941, in Miami, Oklahoma to Frank L. Hart, Jr. and Betty Lawther Hart. He passed away in his home on June 8, 2023. Gary and Sandra Smalley were married on December 1, 1962, in South Street Christian Church.

Gary graduated in 1959 with the first graduating class of Hillcrest High School in Springfield, MO. After high school, he attended the U.S. Trade School in Kansas City, receiving a certificate in auto mechanics. He started working at Louis Koch's Auto Salvage as a mechanic. He was not new to working because he had been working various jobs beginning at the age of 14. Gary began working at the Paul Mueller Company in 1964. He attended Missouri State University and taught layout and blueprint reading at the Springfield Vocational School to Mueller employees. He worked at a number of metal fabrication companies, but he always considered himself a Paul Mueller man. He and his friend, Max McKee, started their own small fabrication company, McKee-Hart Metal Fabrication, which they worked together for 29 years.

Gary had many interests: bass fishing, water skiing, camping, and drag racing. His favorite was racing at the Bonneville National's during Speed Week. He built a 1950 straight eight Buick and set a land speed record of 131.422 mph in 2001. The Buick was sold to Dr. Mike Collison and together with Gary, three land speed records were set in 2007. The fastest record was 141.272 mph. Finally in 2008, he set a record of 240.9 mph in class AA/BGALT, with his 1953 Studebaker. He held the record for 13 years.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Jamie Justice and Larisa Hart; grandson, Christopher Dean and wife Jenene; granddaughter, Katy Justice; step-great-grandchildren, Eli Marlow and Chloe Marlow; great-granddaughter, Ashley Dean; and sister, Beverly Brown.

Gary was an amazingly happy person. His smile and willingness to work with everyone gained him many friends. He was respected and loved by many. He was truly one of a kind.

A celebration of life will be held in the building at the NE corner of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, in Springfield, MO, from 3-5 p.m., Gate 10 (north side), on Saturday, June 17th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hope Lodge of St. Louis, 4207 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.