Atwell, Hart, Churchill, Hostetter Genealogy :Information about Thomas Leo Hart
Thomas Leo Hart (b. 07 Jun 1906, d. 10 Jul 1991)
Notes for Thomas Leo Hart:
The following quotes are taken from the funeral sermon for Thomas L Hart, written by Pastor Glenn Kennedy of Cashmere United Methodist Church, July 13, 1991:
"Tom contracted polio at age 18 and was told he needed surgery, that he might not walk again.He fought that idea and did walk again -- he never had to wear a brace.He learned early to step up to life's big challenges.
"Shortly after [Tom] and Velma were married, Velma's mother died, leaving [Velma's] 6 youngest sisters and brothers without a home (her dad had passed away a few years earlier).The kids were going to be farmed out among several relatives.Tom and Velma -- still pretty young themselves -- said 'no sir'!All 6 went with them to Valdez, Alaska and finished growing up with the Harts.Tom didn't have to do that -- it was just the right thing to do.He didn't desert his ideals in the face of a tough challenge.Velma told me everyone of those kids turned out great!"
The following is taken from an email Tom Hart Jr. sent to me on Friday, April 22, 2005:
"[Tom's] first marriage was to Ellen M. Murphy in Aug. 1928 (I believe in Denver). They did not live together very long (less than one year).They were divorced on 01-02-34."
"[Tom] was very active in school and excelled in woodworking & photography.He was active in a local ‘Bird & Tree’ club, delivered newspapers, and hunted and trapped.He started a photography film developing business for local Decatur drug stores while he was still in high school and continued that after graduating (1925), until 1927 when he was stricken with polio.That must have been a very traumatic time & he never talked much about it.As you mentioned in your research, he was told that he would never walk again and should have a major operation which he rejected (not sure how long he was incapacitated but I think for a year or so).I think he got a lot of pressure from his family to have the operation (his sister Olive was an RN by that time). The polio totally destroyed the calf muscle of his left leg and he walked with a limp for the rest of his life.While he was recovering he decided to become a professional banjo player.He paid $350.00 for a banjo (which I still have today).At that time, a new car cost about $400.00.He played the banjo almost every day for 63 years."
Thomas Leo Hart Jr (b. ) says his father contracted polio in 1927,at age 21.
A note on the back of a photo, written in Velma's hand, says Thomas Leo Hart was born on 6 Jun 1907 instead of 7 Jun 1906.
More About Thomas Leo Hart and Velma Uretta Howard:
Marriage: 06 Apr 1936, Phoenix, Arizona.
Children of Thomas Leo Hart and Velma Uretta Howard are: