By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Carlos B. Hart is being remembered as “a giant in the automotive world,” and as a gentleman.
The 97-year- old Salem resident died at the Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center on July 27. He was known for still going to the office at Hart Motor Company when he was 95.
Don Hall of the Southwest Virginia Dealers Association called Hart, who was chairman of the SVDA in 1992, one of the legacies in the automobile industry.
His son Carl said:
“He was a lot of things to a lot of people,” said Hart’s son Carl. “People enjoyed talking with him and hearing his stories. All through our chihldhood he talked about his pilot works and his flying escapades” when Carlos Hart was flew during the Korean Conflict.
Former employees recalled his kindness: “Carlos was my favorite person to ever work for,” wrote Jerry Wheeler on John M. Oakey & Son’s obituary page. “He was a very kind man who loved customers and his employees who loved him back…He is truly the most special human being I’ve ever met and worked for.”
Sean Kelly remembered him: “Carlos was always gracious and giving to me…I remember my first role in a car dealership was in 1983. Carlos stopped to check in on every employee every day he was in.”
Another, Butch Linkous who worked with Hart for 10 years, wrote, “He was truly a giant in the automotive world and mankind.”
During his life Hart and his family’s Hart Motor Company made an impact in numerous ways. In 2023 the building near Lakeside on East Main Street that opened in 1973 was named to the state historic register for its rare surviving example of a architecture that had been popular in roadside attractions in those days.
Four generations of the Hart family had operated Hart Motor Company at that time. Carlos Hart’s stepfather Emmett started the company and had the iconic building constructed.
Carlos Hart started working full time at Hart Motor Company with his parents, Virginia and E.P., in 1955. Before that, he had worked many jobs, from sweeping and cleaning the shop to later selling new Oldsmobiles. Family said he loved people, but reconditioning used cars and making them sparkle “gave him immense satisfaction”.
He was noted for his civic involvement in the Masons, Salem Kiwanis Club – and serving as lieutenant governor of Capital District Kiwanis International. He had been president of the Virginia Auto Dealers Association and a member of the Salem Bank Board of Trustees, as well as being a deacon at Salem Presbyterian Church.
He stayed active by playing tennis late into life, and was an avid quail hunter.
Friends and family remember him as a generous, honest and good-natured man who was quick with funny stories, and devoted to his family, community and church.
Hart was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School, Greenbrier Military School ad Elon College, now Elon University, with a degree in business administration. After college he went to work as a teller for the Farmers National Bank in Salem before joining the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
One of his family’s favorite photographs of him was as a First Lieutenant fighter pilot, who served as squadron leader, all-weather jet interceptor and engineering test pilot.
Hart and his wife Patty met while she was an Air Force Radar Operator at Hancock Air Force Base in Syracuse, NY, where they both were stationed. They were married 70 years.
He is survived by his wife, and four sons and their families who all live in Salem: Carlos B. Jr., Greg, Danny and Jim and nine grandchildren. Son Jeffrey Bryan predeceased him.
The family asked for memorial donations be made to the Salem Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 133, Salem, VA 24153.
