David W. Hart, 62, passed away on May 20th, 2017 at a Boise hospital of natural causes. He was the husband of Connie, father of Sam and Juliana, brother to Ted and Debbie Hart, and uncle to Natalie and Tyler.
David was born to Walter and Betty Hart on March 6th, 1955 at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento, California. He attended Dixon High School and graduated in 1973. After graduation, he spent two years at Solano Community College playing football. David was then recruited by the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. He played for the Yotes for two years. He graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health (K-12) and a minor in Coaching. He finished his education at California State University in Sacramento, California with a degree in the Teacher Education Program and Certification.
David’s coaching career began at Dixon High School as Varsity Assistant Coach. He was hired at Fernley High School in Fernley, Nevada. While at Fernley High School he coached baseball, track, basketball, and football. Between the years of 1980 to 2005, David was a teacher, coach, and athletic director. During his 25 years in Fernley, he taught Physical Education, Weight Training, Health and Math. He coached football for 25 years, being Head Coach for 21 years. He was athletic director for 19 years.
After retiring in Nevada, he moved to Idaho and began 10 more years working as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Homedale High School.
During his career, David was selected as “Nevada State Educator of the Year” in 2008. He took football teams to state semi-finals twice; State play-offs eight times; League Champions four times. David was honored to be Head Coach of the Nevada Sertoma All-Star football games in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2004. He coached winning teams three of the five years. He was a speaker and the “Clinic of Champions” football clinic in Reno, Nevada. In 2001, David was chosen to represent Nevada at the first-ever NFL Youth Football Summit in Canton, Ohio. In 1990, David published the “Collection of Successful Football Plays” Edition II, Educational Concepts, LTD. During his career, he took many teams to summer football camps from Nevada to Montana, Utah, Oregon, and California. The rest of his summers were dedicated to encouraging his players in the weight room.
As an athletic director, David started the Fernley High School Hall of Fame; freshmen programs in Nevada “AAA” leagues. During the 1994-1995 school years in Nevada, he was named Nevada Athletic Director of the Year. In 2007, David was named Idaho’s District 3 “Athletic Director of the Year” in the 3A and he was selected to represent Snake River Valley Conference as a voting member of District III Athletic Board of Control in Idaho.
With so many achievements, David’s passion was working with young people. He wanted them to learn the game, learn to be a part of team, to be responsible for their actions, teach them to be their best and to help them encourage their fellow teammates.
David loved to play fantasy football and baseball. He enjoyed the win, but his fellow players meant much more to him. He made friends everywhere-he even ran into some friends on his honeymoon! His childhood friends from Dixon and the “orangatans” from the College of Idaho were always with him. The stories he told kept our family in stitches as he’d remember their times together. If there was time, he’d gather for a game of Hearts at a table or on a bus ride to the next game. He loved his friends, and would “Never Let Go of the Rope”!
David will be buried at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel. There will be a memorial service at Homedale High School at 3 p.m., Thursday, May 25th, 2017.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com.
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