Obituary of James A. Hart

Jim Hart, loving husband and father, devoted community member, and brilliant computer engineer, died Monday, November 13, 2017, following a 55-year battle with Type 1 diabetes. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Velma Seaman Hart and Philip Cole Hart, Jim was a fourth-generation Arizonan. His great-grandfather was a gunsmith in Tombstone. Jim's family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, when he was a small child, and he attended school there. He graduated from Northern Arizona University, where he was the president of the senior class. While working his way through college he was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey and was part of a small specialized team that created the maps that helped determine the Apollo landing site, and that the astronauts took into space with them. Following graduation he worked for IBM Corporation, living in Tucson, San Jose, Dallas, and eventually Monterey in 1982. IBM rewarded Jim's outstanding computer capabilities by promoting him to Senior Systems Engineer after only seven years, followed by numerous awards throughout his career. While living in Tucson, Jim met and married his wife Karen Copple Porosky, and their two daughters were born there. After 27 years with IBM, he retired in Monterey and went to work at the Naval Postgraduate School as an Information Technology Specialist in 1992, eventually taking over software and hardware contracts. He retired from NPS in 2004. Jim was a strong, warm, loving, giving person who often supported those in need. He was a great story-teller, especially of the family history, and had a wonderful sense of humor. A number of younger relatives saw Jim as a role model. He was strong in his ethics and values and defended the underdog. People spoke of admiring his character, his loyalty, and his strong spirit and determination even in the face of adversity. He loved spending time with his family, working on his antique autos, and gardening. Wherever they lived he always planted roses he could bring to Karen. Jim was active in the church and community wherever he lived. Locally, he volunteered as a Director for the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) for over 30 years, heading up numerous committees. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Parks Foundation and volunteered at the major golf tournaments. Jim is survived by his wife Karen Hart, his daughter Liesel Karen Hart (Abdullah Al-Zammam), his grandson Saleh Al-Zammam, and his brother Kirt Seaman Hart (Jackie) and numerous, beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kristin Elizabeth Hart, and brothers Philip John, Richard, Donald, and Robert. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017, at 10:30 AM in the Santa Rosalia Chapel at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey, with burial following. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.