Bobby Hart

See a 2nd video of Bob's life with more pics at bottom of this obituary. 

Coach Hart's service can be viewed at fbcwalters.com and the interment can be viewed on Facebook at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home, Inc.

Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Walters, OK on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with burial in the Walters Cemetery. Visitation at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.

Bobby Glen Hart departed this life on January 15, 2023 in Temple, OK. He was born on January 22, 1937, west of Walters, OK, to Clay and Ida V. (Martin) Hart. He was the oldest of their five children. Bob coached Football and Track for 32 years.

Bobby attended school at Temple, OK, and graduated in 1955 from Temple High School where he was a 3-year letterman in Football, Basketball, and Track. He earned football scholarships and attended three different colleges. He redshirted his first semester at college, at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) at Stillwater.

In the spring of 1956, Bobby attended Cameron Junior College (now Cameron University), playing football and joining the boxing team. He stayed at Cameron for two years.

Then he moved on to Southwestern State College (SWOSU – University now) where he played football two years and married Charla Duke. He earned his B.S. degree in Education, and then matriculated toward his Masters' Degree in Sailing!

In July 1958 Bobby completed a U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders class at Quantico, VA, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

He began coaching at Gage, OK in 1960 for one year. He coached Football, Girls and Boys Basketball, and Baseball. Bob's son Jeffrey was born in 1960 while they lived in Gage. Then, the Harts moved to Bob's hometown of Temple where he coached Football, Track and was Elementary School Principal. He served here from 1961 -1966. Sherri was born 1962 in Temple. He then moved to Altus, OK to coach football (assistant) and track (head coach). A man of many talents, he also taught Drivers' Ed, History and Geography. This job lasted from 1966 to 1984.

In 1973, he wed Sandra (Cleaver) DeFord and gained a beloved stepson, Jerry DeFord. All three kids (Jeff, Sherri and Jerry) played sports and graduated from Altus High School -- Jeff in 1979, Sherri 1980 and Jerry 1982. Then Sandra, who was a Managing Editor for The Altus Times Democrat, got a job as an Advertising Manager for the El Reno Tribune in El Reno, OK, and Bob coached at Yukon, OK from 1984-1992. He was Assistant Football and Head Track Coach, and Attendance Director at Yukon High School. Bob retired in 1992.

He served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association. He was named the Oklahoma Track Coach of the Year three times and in 1980 was selected as Region Eight National Track Coach of the year. In July of 1992 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame. Also, in June of 1993 he was inducted into the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame.

In summers, Bob always worked during harvest at the grain elevators in whatever town they resided. In addition to loving all sports, his hobbies included fishing, golfing, sailing, gardening, playing “42” and cards, and reading. He loved animals, and delighted in telling stories and performing magic and card tricks for his nieces, nephews, and grandkids. Also, in his later years he enjoyed birdwatching and built and maintained Purple Martin birdhouses at his home in El Reno.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clay and Ida V. Hart; his wife, Sandra Hart; his sister, Idanelle White; his in-laws, Bill and Alice Cleaver; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and Duane Kreutzer; and his beloved son, Jeffrey Hart.

Survivors include daughter, Sherri Newport (David) of Peoria, AZ; son, Jerry DeFord (Sherry) of Norman, OK; daughter-in-law, Juli Gant Hart of Walters, OK; Grandchildren Samantha Stepanek (Neil), Michael Hart (Morgan), Ashli Adams (Seth), Steven Newport (Sarah), Madesyn Newport (Alexis); Britane Outlaw (Jason) and Drake Diacon. His Great Grandchildren survive him, and are: Lincoln and Ralston Stepanek, Becklynn and Walker Hart, Todd and Taylor Adams, and Gwendolyn Boese. He's also survived by brothers: Clinton Hart (Sandra) of Walters, Gary Hart (Stacy) of Lawton, and Daryl Hart (Carol) of Sterling, along with many dear nephews and nieces, other family members, friends, athletes, and students.

Memorial Donations can be made at swosufoundation.com and direct your gift to Bob Hart - SWOSU Football Legacy or give to an animal shelter near you or the charity of your choice.

According to the July 27, 1992 Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame program,

these are some facts about his career...

He began his 32-year coaching career in 1960. He made coaching stops in Gage, Temple, Altus, and Yukon. He was the Head Football Coach at Temple in 1964 and 1965. His teams there went 20-4, made the State Semi-Finals in 1964 and had an undefeated regular season in 1965.

He then began an 18-year coaching tenure as Assistant Football and Head Track Coach at Altus in 1966, and immediately turned the Bulldogs into a track powerhouse. His 1972 Track Squad captured the State Championship and four others of his teams ended up State Runners-Up. The Altus Bulldogs Football team won State in 1971.

He moved to Yukon for the fall of 1984 football season where he was an assistant football coach and in the spring he continued to have to have success as the Millers’ head track coach. He also moved from teaching to attendance director at Yukon High School.

During his career he coached 40 All-Staters and had 32 individual State Champions in Track.

He served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association. He was named the Oklahoma Track Coach of the Year three times and in 1980 was selected as Region Eight National Track Coach of the year. Bob retired in 1992 as Assistant Principal of Yukon High School and Head Track Coach.

In July of 1992 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame.

Also, in June of 1993 he was inducted into the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame.