Funeral services for Mr. Oscar B. Hartt, of Carthage, TX, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Jackson and Rev. Gary Sparks officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, approximately 6 miles west of Garrison, TX. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service. Mr. Hartt passed away on Sunday evening, May 15, 2011, in Carthage at Marion Place, an assisted living home. He had resided there since Sept. 1, 2005, following the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Oscar Blackburn Hartt was born on Jan. 4, 1920, near Garrison. This past Jan. 4th he celebrated his 91st birthday. He was the third of four sons born to Isom and Lillie Hartt. In earlier years, he attended school in the small town of Appleby, located on Hwy. 59, between Garrison and Nacogdoches. On Apr. 19, 1941, at the age of 21, Oscar B. married Gladys Newman. She was a student attending Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches. One year and half passed and Oscar continued to work for Phelan's Grocery Co. In 1942, the household of the Oscar B. Hartt's added another member, a son, Chester. When he was four and a half months old, the need arose for soldiers to supply the personnel in WWII. With hurried sadness, our youngster and I said goodbye to Oscar B. as he left us for military duty. He had chosen the U.S. Navy. This choice had given him a chance to serve in a newly formed branch of the Navy called the construction battalion. Basic training led Oscar B. to Williamsburg, VA. At the end of basic training, he was released long enough to come home for a short visit. Afterwards, he was sent to Tacoma, WA and shipped out to the Aleutian Islands (Attau), his work place for the duration of his service. Oscar B. received an honorable discharge in 1945, at the age of 25, for his military service. Returning home to Texas, he found employment with United Gas Pipeline Co. His work for this company lasted 35 years. 1947 was a happy time once more for the Oscar Hartt family. Michael, the second son, was born in August of that year. Retirement years were spent as a part-time plumber. His recreation was playing dominos with his friends. He found it hard to discern between playing dominos with friends or helping the elderly with their plumbing. He found satisfaction doing both. Mr. Hartt was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Alton, Willie, and John Thomas Hartt.

Mr. Hartt is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gladys Hartt of Carthage; two sons, Chester Hartt and wife Lanette of Cleveland, TX and Michael Hartt and wife Sondra of Monroe, LA; one sister-in-law, Ouida Hartt of Pasadena, TX; two grandsons, David Hartt and wife Laura of West Monroe, LA and Stephen Hartt and wife Beth of Roswell, GA; four great-grandchildren, Lauren, Madison, Sam, and Leah; one niece, Sherry Smiley; and one nephew, Bill Hartt both of Garrison.

Serving as pallbearers are Mike Hartt, David Hartt, Al Stoddard, Greg Stoddard, Eddie Brown, and Deas Moore. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Deason Moore, Sam Raley, and Doug Croom.

If desired, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633 or Walnut Grove Cemetery Assn., c/o Mrs. Linda Kay Deason, 512 N. F.M. 95, Garrison, TX 75946.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.