Fletcher Thomas Hart, a long time Miami County resident, passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Advent Health Shawnee Mission in Merriam, Kansas, surrounded by family and friends. He went out like a lion and on his own terms.
 Fletcher was born on November 10, 1940, in Lake Charles, Louisiana and graduated Baton Rouge High School in 1958. He was the 2nd oldest of 5 children born to Alice and Fletcher Wilson Hart, going on to graduate from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
 Fletcher dedicated much of his professional life to serving the United States Government as an investigator and auditor, which took him across the country, where he built lasting friendships with colleagues and clients alike.
 He had a deep passion for travel and adventure and visited 6 of the 7 continents. Only Antarctica was left on his list – a journey he had hoped to take with his granddaughter before health challenges intervened. Among his many travels, he once sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with friends on a sailboat, a voyage that took more than 2 weeks. Another sailing trip took him to Cuba with friends. He was certified in Scuba Diving, an excellent card player, an avid reader, and loved history.
 Fletcher had a gift of making friends wherever he went-through his work, through his travels, and his generous spirit. Through the 1990’s, he hosted annual gatherings that drew friends from across the country. His zest for life left a lasting impact on anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
 He was united in marriage to Beverly Jean (Robinson) Hart on September 2, 1960, Beverly proceeded Fletcher in death in 2011, having celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the prior year. Together they became the loving parents of 2 sons and 2 daughters, They lived many places during their life together, including Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Schenectady, New York; Germantown, Maryland; and eventually Hillsdale, Kansas, where they settled in 1979.
 After the passing of Beverly, Fletcher connected with Christine Douglass, who had been a lifelong friend of his sister. Their bond grew quickly and they moved into a home at Lake Bruin in Louisiana where his siblings also had homes. In 2016 Fletcher and Chris relocated back to Kansas, to be closer to his children and grandchildren
 He was proceeded in death by both parents, his wife, Beverly Hart, and one son, Brett Hart.
 He is survived by, Christine Douglass of Leawood, KS, his children: Sheri Shideler of Grandview, MO, Staci (Jim) Harding of Topeka, KS and Fletcher “Buddy” Hart of Paola, KS; one brother, Paul (Sarah) Hart of Louisianna, three sisters, Joyce Rose of Alexandria, LA, Alice Renfrew of Hernando, MS, and Mayce Strickland of Saint Francisville, LA; six grandchildren, Brandi (Mick) Light of Grandview, MO, Josh (Angela) Patterson of Paola, KS, Sheril (Brandon) Tabor of Oahu, HI, Jeremiah (Amanda) Ross of Hoyt, KS, Rickey (Amanda) Shideler Jr. of Gardner, KS and Katie Haag of Ashville, NC, twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
 His strong will and determination carried him through many of life’s trials, including a life-changing brain tumor surgery in 2009. After the procedure, doctors at the Mayo Clinic were unsure if he would ever recover. But Fletcher, through incredible grit and perseverance, defied expectations. Over 2 years of intensive rehabilitation, he regained mobility with the aid of a cane and even returned to being able to drive his cherished five-speed Miata. He was honored with Patient of the Year Award at Olathe Medical Center Rehab for both Most Improved and Best Attitude.
 At the passing of his wife Beverly in 2011, Fletcher set up the “Brett Hart Memorial Fund” in lieu of flowers to be given to Tri-Ko to honor their son Brett who they were very involved with, and who also went to Tri-Ko as an adult. With the original memorial fund he was able to suggest and have purchased WII consoles and games for the group homes, as well as for a number of years ensure clients were able to go on outings they otherwise might have missed.
 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to directly enrichen the lives of clients at Tri-Ko once again, in honor of Fletcher’s son and Fletcher’s enduring commitment to community and family. Any such contributions can be made out to the “Brett Hart Memorial Fund” and delivered to First Option Bank, to one of his surviving children, or to Fletcher’s Celebration of Life. Later in the year, all funds received will be delivered to Tri-Ko with some suggestions on some of the uses of the funds again, just as Fletcher would want and had done himself before.
 His Celebration of Life will be in Hillsdale on May 17th in 2 parts. From 10:30 to 11:30 we’ll be meeting at the Hillsdale Church for the 1st part, then from 11:30 to 1:30 we’ll be moving to the Hillsdale Tavern for the 2nd part of his Celebration where lunch will be available. Fletcher enjoyed grilling or serving steaks/burgers for family and friends, as such, grilling will be included for those who wish to.