Dwain Massey Hart

Dwain Massey Hart, 80 of Abilene, passed away at Hendrick Medical Center Thursday July 5, 2012. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Saturday July 7th, 2012 at Hillcrest Church of Christ under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8 pm at the funeral home.

Dwain was born on August 10, 1931 in Calvert, Texas to Jake and Dora Hart. He was tabbed with the nickname Pee Wee and that name stuck with his family. He spent his childhood days in Calvert and was very active in the athletic programs in Junior High and High School. After high school he went on to Clifton Junior College where he played football and earned his AA degree. He then moved on to Baylor where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. While at Baylor he played on the football team as a quarterback.

Dr. Hart met his future wife Bettie McKnight during his undergraduate work at Baylor. They married on May 28, 1954 while Dwain was in the Army. At the completion of his two year commitment to the Army, Dwain entered Baylor one more to work on his Masters Degree in physical education. After completing his Masters Dwain went to work for ACC where he taught physical education classes and coached the Tennis Team.

After a couple of years teaching he took a leave of absence to secure his Doctorate degree. Again, Baylor University was the chosen site. Upon returning to ACC he began moving into administration, becoming a Dean and then Provost of the University. His 56 year tenure with ACU began in 1955 and concluded in 2011.

Along with service to ACU, service to the church and his community were very important. Dwain was an Elder for the Hillcrest Church of Christ and he was instrumental in developing a physical education program at the Abilene State School as well as an organizer of the Texas Special Olympics.

Dwain was known for his great servant heart, his generosity and especially his encouragement toward others, Dwain, Dad, Poppie, Pee Wee, Dr. Hart, and Coach will always be remembered as a humble man of God. "Well done, good and faithful servant!".

Surviving Dwain are his wife of 58 years, Bettie, a son Kent Hart and wife Jan and their children Kason, Korey, Keaton and Kolby of Houston; two daughters, Kem Hatch and husband Ray and their children Ryan, Stephanie, and Jason of Scottsdale, AZ and Kerri Hart of Abilene, two brothers; Homer Hart and Don Hart and a sister Chris Wall and husband George. He is also survived by numerous extended family members and a host of friends. Dwain was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Elvin and Jack Hart as well as a sister Helen Hart.

Donations may be made to the Dwain Hart Tennis Foundation or the Dwain Hart Endowed Scholarship Fund, ACU Box 29132, 79699. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.