James (Jim) Kevin Hart Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Kevin Hart, 57, of Cary, died on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Jim was born in Kinston, NC, the son of the late Willie Gardner Hart, Jr. and Mary Frances Howard. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from N.C. State University, leading to a career as a programmer with SAS. Jim was very active in the fight against pancreatic cancer. He served as the chair of the Raleigh-Durham affiliate of PanCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. He helped to organize several PurpleStride 5Ks and PurpleLight Ceremonies to raise awareness and funds for research of pancreatic cancer, and to honor those who have fought the disease. His PurpleStride team, Jim’s Guts and Glory, was among the top fundraising teams for the past four years. He appeared before legislators in Washington DC to raise awareness and funding for research at the federal level. He also authored a pancreatic cancer blog in CaringBridge. Jim was a proud alumnus of The Governor’s School, having served for 20 years on the North Carolina Governor's School Foundation and the Alumni Association. When Jim realized that the State had failed to retain contact information on the thousands of students who have attended Governor's School, he undertook the daunting task of recording the name and address of all alumni. Jim created the original database used by both GSAA and the Foundation. In 2012, he created the scholarship process and chaired the Scholarship Committee for three years. In 2013, Jim designed and implemented a survey of 750 alumni, that proved instrumental in convincing the legislature to restore funding for the Governor's School. In recognition of his dedication, The Governor’s School instituted The Jim Hart Award in 2014, naming him its first recipient. Bowling was a lifelong passion. Jim rolled a perfect 300 game on November 1, 2012. He was also an avid reader, and was a fan of the sci-fi and fantasy genres. Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Erin and son Christopher of the home, daughter Shea of Austin, TX, and his brother Chuck of Charlotte, NC. Jim’s Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, Apex. Inurnment will follow in the church’s Columbarium. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 AM in the Church, and at a reception in the parish Fellowship Hall immediately following inurnment. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family requests memorial contributions to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), https://www.pancan.org/

James (Jim) Kevin Hart

December 20, 1961 - December 22, 2018