A nineteen-year-old homeless man, walking the Weatherford streets, learned that his wife had died of a drug overdose, and that he’d lost custody of his two babies.
Addicted to methamphetamines, David Hart’s own mother did not want him under her roof.
He was arrested for possession, was incarcerated for 16 months, spent 10 months in rehab, then moved to a halfway house.
That was when Hart began to rebuild his life.
Add 20 years, a stint with the Texas Guard, three marriages and six children, Hart now is a familiar, and beloved, face within his community. A successful entrepreneur, he says he could not have accomplished his journey without the love and support of his mother, wife Shawna, children, and the community he loves serving.
“It gives me joy, to be able to help our neighbors, whether it’s a financial gift, or donation of services, I’m here to do what I can,” Hart said of his involvement.
He recently lost his tough-love mother, who never lost faith in her son. He says his heart for widows and our veterans serves as daily motivation.
He is painfully aware of being needful, and how difficult it is to ask for help.
Hart is active in numerous areas of life within Parker County.
Where there is a need, Hart is usually somewhere in the equation of solving the problem.
He has also served as a youth soccer coach, volunteer firefighter, and would like to add auxiliary police officer to his realm of service.
With a felony on his record, he is unable to do so.
Hart owns Hart HVAC and Electric, which has locations in three states with 47 employees.
Hart recently purchased and restored the Malt Shop, an almost 60-year staple of the Weatherford burger crowd. The shop was in danger of being permanently closed, and when Hart and partner Sean Allen heard the county’s moans and groans, they decided to rescue the Fort Worth Highway eatery, preserving a piece of history for the next generation to enjoy.
Hart enjoys his community, and so he chose to petition Governor Abbott, whom he has met on one occasion, for a pardon for his 20-year-old victimless crime which has labeled him a felon for two decades.
“I don’t particularly feel like I deserve a pardon,” Hart explained, “but I’d like to know there are second chances for people like me, and want others to know they can make a difference.”
Hart has garnered the support of countless local businesses, friends, elected officials, legislators, and numerous civic groups, including the Azle Police Officers Association. Letters are being sent to the governor’s office, and it is no longer accepting phone calls in his favor, as they are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of calls, according to the governor’s office staff.
Interestingly, Hart says his passion has been stoked by the realization that his pardon is not the most important part of this procedure.
“I wonder how many others are out there who feel helpless, hopeless, not knowing how to go about starting over. I want to help them.”
As of press time, the governor’s office has not responded to the pardon request.
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