ULYSSES – Kellye Russell Hart, 96, died Monday, July 1, 2024 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses.
He was born May 1, 1928 to John William and Christina (Sperling).
He married Diana Walker June 14, 1958. She survives.
He graduated from Geronimo High School in Geronimo, Okla. in 1946. After high school, he served in the US Army and upon discharge, attended Cameron College in Lawton, Okla. and Central State College in Edmond Okla., where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in business education.
He worked in finance at Fort Sill, OK, for two and half years before accepting a teaching position in McCracken in 1953. While teaching at McCracken, he earned his master’s degree in school administration at Fort Hays State University. He served as high school principal at Lorraine and Kanopolis, and as superintendent at Ellsworth, Lakin, and Ell-Saline school districts.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ulysses, Ulysses Masonic Lodge No. 435, the Kansas Ornithological Society, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and was a life member of the National Education Association and American Legion Post No. 79. After his retirement, he refinished furniture, coordinated the local American Red Cross blood drives for 15 years, helped with Ulysses wildflower tours and was a birder and compiler for the Ulysses Christmas Bird Counts.
Survivors also include son, Gary and wife, Barb, Ulysses; daughter, Sherri, Hutchinson; granddaughter, Leslie Lorlovick and husband, Derek, Oklahoma City; grandson, Charles, Ulysses; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters; and six brothers.
o Funeral services took place Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses.
Memorials are suggested to the Ulysses Masonic Lodge #435 or the Ulysses First United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.
