Lasting Memories

James Patrick Hart
March 7, 1955-Sept. 21, 2024
Oakdale, California

James Patrick Hart, an Oakdale resident for nearly 40 years, passed away peacefully at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Jim was born in Castro Valley, California in 1955. He was the third of seven kids born to Tom and Mary Hart. The family moved to Pleasanton, California in 1964. He graduated from Amador Valley High School in 1973. After high school, Jim attended Columbia Junior College while living at the Hart family cabin in Twain Harte. It was there he met Karen Smith, they married and started their family in Livermore, California.

Jim had a life long love of building and fixing things. He earned the nickname “Emmitt” after the fix it man on the Andy Griffith tv show. He began Hart Construction in 1980 which he successfully ran for 40 years in the Bay Area and Central Valley building new homes, remodeling and custom cabinetry. He was skilled in all aspects of construction. There was nothing he couldn’t do when it came to building and remodeling homes.

Jim never fully retired from his construction business, sharing his talents with generosity and acts of kindness was his passion. He was a self-taught pizza maker and enjoyed serving up the best homemade pizza, entertaining friends and family and hosting every birthday and end of school year pizza party at his Oakdale home.

Jim enjoyed many volunteer projects and most recently as a Board Member of the Mi Wuk Mutual Water District and making hand carved memorials and American Flags for families of fallen service members. He donated hundreds of hours for Horses of Warriors in Jamestown, equine therapy for Military, Police and Fire Service members with PTSD.

Jim was a devoted Husband, Father, Papa, Brother and Friend. Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen; his sons, Brandon Hart (Kristen), Thomas Hart (Carli) and daughter, Laura Clarke (Devin). His greatest joy were his eight grandchildren, McKenna, Brianna, Ryan, Wyatt, Colton, Reagan, Reese and Emmit.

Jim was predeceased by his parents Tom and Mary Hart and his brother Dennis. His surviving siblings are Mary Reding (John), Michael Hart (Crystal), Dr. Kevin Hart (Joan), Steve Hart (Cindy) and Kathleen Hart-Hinek (Bronco).

A private celebration of life will be held in the presence of close family and friends. Donations in Jim's memory can be made to Horses of Warriors, 11896 Campo Seco Road, Sonora CA 95370.