LeRoy (Lee) Edward Hart

Lee was born in San Francisco July 18th, 1940 to Francis Martha Van De Leur Hart and LeRoy Taft Hart. He was the oldest of four children, all boys. At the age of four, the family moved to Yountville where they lived in a house owned by his great-grandfather, Mathias Van De Leur. They moved to Napa when Lee was in the first grade. He went to Westwood Elementary School, Ridgewood Junior High and graduated from Napa High School in 1958. He continued his education, attending Napa Junior College in the early sixties, graduating in 1964 with an AA in Business Administration. Lee married Robin Boardman of Fairfield in 1960. They lived in Napa all of their married life. They divorced in 1988, but remained friends. He was the proud Father of Victoria (Vicki), Elizabeth (Liz) and Leroy Mathias (Matt) all still in Napa. As a family they enjoyed vacationing, usually camping. The children also deer hunted, fished and camped with him when they were young. He also enjoyed being a grandfather and great-grandfather. Lee worked for the Napa Valley Register from age 11 as a paperboy to 1961 when he was Assistant Circulation Manager. He was hired by Bank of America in 1961 as an operations trainee in Vallejo. When he left the bank in 1969, he was working in the Richmond Branch as a Real Estate Loan Officer. He continued his career as an Escrow Officer for TI Insurance and Western Title, R E Loan Officer for Silverado Savings and Loan. He was a member of the Napa Police Department Reserves for several years starting in the late 60’s and in 1973 he was hired by NPD as a police officer. This was a job that he loved. One of the highlights of his career was saving the life of an infant who had stopped breathing while with its family at Fuller Park. He was honored by the Napa Chamber of Commerce as “Peace Officer of the Year” for this. Lee started training at Suisun Self-Defense Institute, a school for Kajukenbo Karate in 1965 and continued this discipline until his death. He was a Grand Master, 10th Degree Black Belt. In the 1980’s and into the 90’s, he was an instructor at the Napa College for Self-Defense and baton skills. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and camper. He especially loved the Sierra City/Lakes Basin area of California. Another of his interests was California history, Napa County’s 1800’s in particular. This was sparked when he was asked to join the board of directors of the Yountville Cemetery Association in 1964 by his cousin Jack Forrester. He became its President in 1965 and had been until his death. Former mountain-man, and founder of Yountville, George Yount became one of his heroes. Lee studied him then “became him”. As George, wearing authentic mountain-man, and a founder of Yountville Day’s celebration every October and the Yountville Cemeteries Memorial Day services every May. He was also a Life Member of the Napa County Historical Society, serving on its board as Vice President for several years in the 70’s. Lee was recognized as Historian of the Year by NCHS in 1990, particularly for his involvement of the Yountville Cemetery. He was also a proud member of the E Clampus Vitus, an organization that recognizes and promotes California History, especially the California Gold Rush era. He enjoyed collecting books on Western U.S. history. In 2000, Lee met Chrissy and Chrissy met Lee. Life was wonderful and they were married on July 14, 2001. Lee and Chrissy started wonderful adventures together and a wonderful life. Lee has left us with many stories and memories that will be passed on for years to come.

LeRoy (Lee) Edward Hart

July 18, 1940 - May 14, 2018

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LeRoy (Lee) Edward Hart

July 18, 1940 - May 14, 2018

Obituary Notification

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