Lewis Jackson Hart, Sr.

Lewis Jackson Hart, Sr., 79, of Homerville passed away Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick after a sudden illness. He was born in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late Lewis (Pete) Hart and Martiele Roberts Hart and lived most of his life in Homerville, Georgia. Mr. Hart was a proud 1964 graduate of Clinch County High School, where he played multiple sports. Following graduation, he attended South Georgia College in Douglas where he played basketball and obtained an associate’s degree in science. Mr. Hart went on to play basketball for Valdosta State College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in science. After being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, Mr. Hart began his teaching career at Valdosta High School, where he was privileged to coach alongside some of Georgia’s legendary high school coaches. He would go on to receive a master’s degree in education and specialist’s degree both from Valdosta State College. During his 30+ year career, Mr. Hart served as an educator, coach, and administrator in a number of high schools throughout Southeast Georgia.

Mr. Hart was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Martiele Hart, as well as his beloved wife of 52 years, Donna Deloach Hart. Survivors include four children, Jake (Angie) Hart of York, PA, Jarred Hart of Valdosta, Janna (Joe) Mizell of Homerville, and Jennifer Hart of Hahira; ten grandchildren, Emma Kate, Jackson, Andrew, Gabbie, Michael, Kolby Lee, Kaitie Lee, Lexi Edwards, Melody Mizell, and Jarett Mizell, as well as six great grandchildren; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Vivian and Larry Smith of Homerville and Pat Joyce (the late Preacher Joyce) of Homerville; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Mr. Hart, who was the first in his family to attend college, had a lifelong passion for learning. Mr. Hart, or Coach Hart as many knew him, believed in hard work and sought to instill this trait in the countless children he taught and coached over the years. Mr. Hart also served as manager of the Clinch County Recreation Department for a number of years, and his Fourth of July celebrations created lasting memories for many in the community. In addition to his time in the public school system, Mr. Hart taught several years in the Department of Corrections, primarily at Ware State Prison. He took pride in helping those who sought to better themselves despite their circumstances.

Jack Hart was a selfless, humble man who never met a stranger. He loved the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter for most of his life. Mostly, however, he enjoyed the camaraderie of spending time with his fellow hunters. Mr. Hart was privileged to call many people his friend; from the “Joe Steedley Gang” to his high school and college classmates and teammates, he cherished time spent with friends. In his later years, Mr. Hart spent numerous hours solving all the world’s problems with the morning crew at Jerry J’s. Mr. Hart simply loved people. Children, however, held a particularly special place his heart, and he could often be found rocking babies in the nursery at First Baptist Church, Homerville, where he was a member for over 40 years.

Mr. Hart’s greatest love was his wife, Donna. He loved Donna from the moment they met, when she threw a crying baby into his arms, to the moment he took his last breath on this Earth. That love lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a devoted father and “Papa Jack” and will be missed.

The family will receive friends Monday evening, August 10, 2026, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Roundtree Funeral Home in Homerville, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday morning, August 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Homerville, Georgia. Inurnment will follow at Wayfare Cemetery in Echols County, Georgia, as weather permits.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.roundtreefuneralhome.com (http://www.roundtreefuneralhome.com/).

Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.