James Monroe Dart, age 92, passed away June 22, 2016 at the Heirloom Inn in Price, Utah.
He was born April 1, 1924 in Helper, UT to Reuben Adair Dart and Margaret Elizabeth Kesler Dart, the third of four children. He married Ruth Redd on September 25, 1943 in Seattle, Washington; marriage later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
James was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA during WWII, where he served as an office clerk and drummer in the War Department’s Dance Band. After returning to Price, he attended Carbon College, receiving an associate degree in accounting. James managed the parts department for his father-in-law’s Chevrolet dealership (Redd Motor Company) for many years, while raising a family of five with his beloved wife Ruth. He was involved in every aspect of his children’s lives, supporting them as President of Price National League WBBA and encouraging them in their music education. He and Ruth were always there to teach them the value of excellence in all their endeavors and the importance of service to others. Aside from his family, Jim’s first love was music. An accomplished drummer, he played drums for countless gatherings throughout Utah as leader of the “Jimmy Dart Orchestra” which he founded while attending Helper Jr. High School. Jim taught many young drum students and served as drum section coach for the Carbon High School Marching Band when they prepared to march in the 1966 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. He also supported other local school and college bands in their drum sections as needs arose. Jimmy was later employed as manager of the CEU Bookstore.
He and his family successfully applied for and were granted licenses to operate two
commercial broadcasting facilities (KRPX-AM and KPRQ-FM radio stations) in Price, fulfilling a lifelong dream. In 1995 James received the Eagle Award from the College of Eastern Utah, for his outstanding community service as an alumnus of the college. An active member of the LDS Church, Jim served faithfully in numerous church callings. His family remembers the many acts of kindness he showed to others. He was a friend to everyone he met.
Jim is survived by his children, Diane (Randol) Potter of Salt Lake City; James Jr. (Diane) of Price; Richard (Dedee) of Mapleton, David (Reyna) of Culver City, CA; Merrilyn (George) Farish of Spring Glen; 17 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his wife Ruth, parents, two sisters; one grandchild, and one greatgrandchild.
The Dart family wishes to express our thanks to the medical practitioners and the staff of the Heirloom Inn for the outstanding care and attention they have given to our father.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Price 5th Ward Chapel located at 545 East 400 North in Price. Friends may call from 11:30 am to 12:45 p.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of James online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net