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Clarke & Staples Funeral Homes, Inc.
    Tuesday, February 02 2021
    John Benson Hart

    Posted by: Clarke and Staples Funeral Homes AT 10:08 am   |  Permalink   |  12 Comments  |  Email
    Comments:
    He will surely be missed. I want to take the time to say thank you for his dedication to the radio stations in our area, I can remember sitting by the radio as a kid waiting for our school closing or delay to be announced. One of the best memories with my brothers celebrating a snow day with no school.
    Posted by Will Daniel on 02/07/2021 - 12:27 PM
    Miss you my friend
    Posted by Martha burrows on 02/07/2021 - 04:07 PM
    My sincere condolences to the family. You're all in my thoughts and prayers!
    Posted by Gloria Benson on 02/07/2021 - 08:35 PM
    Little Brother I will miss you so. You lived your life your way and did what you loved. I was honored to be able to have special time with you before you left us. I was so glad I could get to know you children who took such loving care of you while you were so sick. I remember when Mom and Dad came home with you and I felt you were my little baby and now I am so honor to say a special goodbye. Love you and I know you will keep doing things your way. Save a place for me cause I will hug you again.
    Posted by Jane H. Trimble on 02/08/2021 - 08:51 AM
    So sorry to hear of John,s death, my condolences to all his family. John was a special friend. John and I traveled a lot of miles together and did a lot of ballgames. I will surely miss him.
    Posted by BARRY D MOORE on 02/08/2021 - 01:18 PM
    So sorry to hear of John,s death, my condolences to all his family. John was a special friend. John and I traveled a lot of miles together and did a lot of ballgames. I will surely miss him.
    Posted by BARRY D MOORE on 02/08/2021 - 01:23 PM
    From the poem "Gods Garden". God looked around his garden and he found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine". It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. I Love you Johnny, my little brother and will miss your one of a kind laughter and your BIG contagious smile.
    Posted by Judith Moore on 02/09/2021 - 02:51 PM
    John it was a great 30 year ride for us! We enjoyed our time together and you were the best radio engineer in Blackstone! We will miss you brother, say Hi to the Lord for us ! May you Rest In Peace ! Praying 🙏 for your family. The Royer's Dennis & Barbara.
    Posted by Dennis & Barbara Royer on 02/09/2021 - 08:41 PM
    I know as your brother-in-law you are now in a better place. I say now in print what I said when I held your hand and kissed your forehead and whispered "Its time to go home" and "Ill see you, your mom and dad on the other side" so tell them I miss them still as I will miss you now. No more pain, only peace. And that is a beautiful thing. May we all be so blessed when our angel's come to say " It's time to go through that opened dome, to be with those, that will welcome us home"
    Posted by Robert Moore on 02/09/2021 - 10:20 PM
    I came to know John in 1996 while working at a group of radio stations in N.C. I heard he owned this religious station and thought oh boy a "stuffy ol preacher man"...there goes all the fun! At the time in 96, preachers had this stigma of being dull and strict. John and his wife showed up..all dressed up, I thought to myself.."yep, a stuffy preacher man". Boy was I wrong! hahaha! John knew the Lord and I am glad he did...we know John is with our Savior today and we will see John again! I will miss our chats online and on the phone and hearing him on the radio. Lots of great memories that I shall hold close for the rest of my days. Til we met again John...later gator!
    Posted by Bob "Action" Carter on 02/10/2021 - 03:13 PM
    Wilkins Radio Network and WDZY radio would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of John Hart. John had become a faithful friend and support to WDZY radio since 2013. No matter the time or weather, John was always willing to help. John, you will be missed. Your friends at Wilkins Radio/WDZY
    Posted by Jack Wilkins on 02/11/2021 - 10:47 AM
    John pulled WSHV AND WJWS in South HILL OUT OF TROUBLE MANY TIMES ALWAYS THERE AND ALWAYS GOOD NATURED . THANKS JOHN. AND A VERY GOOD ENGINEER
    Posted by Norm Talley on 02/11/2021 - 02:27 PM

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    **Please note the service date and time change**


    John Benson Hart passed away February 2, 2021 in his home in Blackstone, VA surrounded by family.  From an early age John had always been a tinkerer, and was known to take things apart, sometimes with the unfortunate result of being unable to put them back together.  In his teens he discovered his passion for Radio and set about creating his own radio station, much to the FCC’s dismay, since at the time he did not have a broadcast license.  Still, he persevered and in time moved to Kenbridge and was able to start his own licensed radio station WPEX FM 90.9.


    John also worked at every local radio station in an engineering capacity at one time or another.  His actions enabled stations such as WBBC, WKLV, WVHL, WPZZ, and WDZY to remain on the air, broadcasting sometimes through inclement conditions.  If you have ever turned the radio on to listen for school closings over the last 3 decades, there is a good chance John Hart’s actions made that possible.  The lives of thousands of individuals have been touched by his actions over the years, most without ever knowing the man who made it possible.


    He is survived by 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 siblings, though the influence of his actions will be felt by all in Southside Virginia.


    Services will be held at Clarke Funeral Home in Kenbridge on Tuesday, February 16, at 2 p.m.  Due to current world conditions the service will also be held simultaneously at www.johnhartmemorial.com

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      Staples Funeral Home
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