09/17/2025
Richard Keith Hart, 71, entered this world to two loving parents, L.G. and Mary Virginia (Harness) Hart, on October 31, 1953 in Morganfield, Kentucky. A pumpkin baby, he took delight in being born on Halloween, even if his older sisters, Barb and Kay, were disappointed in the missed trick-or-treating opportunities. He had an adventurous childhood, full of activities and mischief, that he often shared fondly.
A proud Brave, Keith graduated from Union County High School in 1971, and loved to recount old football stories from his proud years on the Union County football team and his many social activities. He was quite the catch, at least according to him!
He then spent one year at Henderson Community College before transferring to Murray State University, where he graduated in 1975 with a B.A. in History and Political Science. While at Murray State, he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, immediately gaining many brothers and lifelong friends. He treasured his time with his SigEp brothers and the many shenanigans they engaged in during their time together – which became stories he loved to tell over the years.
After graduating from Murray State, he taught at Breckenridge Job Corps Center (now known as the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center) for one year before leaving the educational field to join his beloved fraternity brother and dear friend, Charlie Hunt, in business at the Marion Feed Mill. Keith and Charlie owned and operated the Feed Mill side by side for over 40 years, growing it into a fixture in the community. He was immensely proud of and devoted to the Feed Mill. He cherished the role it played in Marion and beyond and the deep relationships he and Charlie developed with their customers and employees over the years. In 2008, his service was marked by his receipt of the Chamber’s Customer Service Award.
In 1978, he went on his first date with the love of his life, Valerie Rodell, and they never looked back. They were married on September 8, 1979 in Champaign, Illinois and then began growing their life together in Marion. They added their first son, Kyle, to the family in November 1982, followed by Brad a few years later in August 1986. Their lives quickly became filled with activities with their sons and their friends, from school and church activities to sports and hunting fields. Keith threw himself into that whirlwind of activity, always present, always teaching, always opening the door to friends of his boys (even if they called to ask while on the way!), and cherishing the memories made.
Keith also fully threw himself into his new hometown of Marion. Over his almost 50 years in Marion, he was engaged in many community and civic endeavors, including serving as a member and ultimately chairman of the Crittenden County School Board for 15 years (during which time he was instrumental in getting the new gym built), president of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club and Park Board, Sunday school teacher, and a coach of little league football for many years. He absolutely loved coaching football (including the many wins!) and his time spent with the countless kids that played for him, cherishing his title of Coach Hart, which kids would call him for many years after playing for him.
Later in life he enjoyed traveling with his wife, finally accomplishing his goal of visiting all 50 states in 2019. He also excitedly added the title of Granddad, welcoming two granddaughters, Ellie and Harper, who quickly made up for the daughter he never had. He loved them immensely, spoiling them with sugary treats, a slip of a $20 or two, and most importantly, lots of hugs.
Keith passed away comfortably surrounded by many loved ones on September 16, 2025 after bravely fighting a severe case of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Gilbert and Mary Virginia Hart, and his sister Barbara Walter. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, sons, Kyle and Brad (Betsy), two adored granddaughters, Ellie and Harper, sister, Kay Greenwell, brother-in-law, Gordon Rodell (Pam), and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and his beloved dog, Sadie.
He loved deeply (and was known to shed a few tears, whether happy or sad) and was fiercely loyal to those he loved (the “forgive others” part was hard for him) – always willing to offer whatever assistance he could at the drop of a hat. He was also an incredibly proud person, never missing a chance to brag about his family or friends. Full of wit and wisdom, he was in his element regaling an old story or telling a joke, with a sly grin and a twinkle in his eye. Because of this, he never met a stranger and became beloved by many, even those who only knew him for a brief time.
He left this world at peace, ready to take his final trip to see his Lord in Heaven, where he is living once again full of breath and life, no doubt already recounting stories and telling jokes to the many he was excited to see again. He will be deeply missed, but memories of him and the imprint of his amazing life will be forever felt and carried by those who were so fortunate to have had their lives touched by him.
We will forever love you, husband, dad, granddad, brother, uncle, chairman, business partner, teacher and Coach. You ran an incredible race, and were without a question a good and faithful servant. Now enjoy your rest until we see you again.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and services will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, Kentucky with interment in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will also receive visitors from 12 p.m. until service time Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Keith’s honor to the Vince Clark Foundation of the Crittenden County Educational System (tiffany.blazina@crittenden.kyschools.us).
