ASHEVILLE, N.C. – James “Jim” Walker Hart, Sr., 77 of Asheville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 24, 2015.

A native of Johnston, SC, he was a son of the late Claude Walker Hart and Mattie Lou Wright Hart. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Patsy Hart Marsh.

He grew up in Johnston, SC and graduated from Johnston High School.  During high school, he worked as a “soda jerk” at Maxwell & Halford Drug Store.  After high school, he attended business college and began his career in sales that spanned 57 years.  The bulk of his career, almost 30 years, was spent with Geer Drug Company with territories in North and South Carolina. Following his retirement with Geer, he worked for Machinery & Equipment and Dixie Industrial Supply Companies.  He then co-owned and operated two TCBY yogurt stores.  Next, he owned and operated Blue Ridge Closets with his son.  Lastly, he and his son were working together at Hart Insurance, where he was still actively involved.  His work enabled him to do what he loved, which was to interact with people and make new friends.

He was a member and active Elder at Arden Presbyterian Church, a former member of the South Carolina National Guard, and a volunteer with Eblen Charities. He enjoyed surf fishing, hunting, being at the beach, and anything that involved his grandchildren.  He was a strong Christian man and a strong family man.  He loved watching ACC basketball with the same group of family and friends for over forty years in his “Wolfpack Den”.  He enjoyed cheering on his children and grandchildren in whatever they were doing – he rarely missed a game or event that they were participating in.

He is survived by the “love of his life” of 51 years, Sara Raines Hart; one son, James Walker Hart, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth of Flat Rock; one daughter, Beth Hart Tisdale and her husband, Matt, of Asheville; three grandsons, John, Will and Tanner; one sister, Peggy Hart; one brother, William Hart; and two brother-in-laws, Ken Marsh and Joe Raines,Jr.; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Arden Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Arden Presbyterian Church-Mercy Ministries, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC 28704 or to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family and a memorial register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com