Samuel 'Sam' Thomas Hart

SAMUEL THOMAS HART, 80, aka “Poppy” and “G Daddy”, passed away August 6, 2025, at his Prospect community home. He was often described by people who knew him as one of a kind, a blessing, and a joy to be around. To his family, he was the best of men, the best father, friend, husband and partner imaginable.

He will be remembered for his warmth and wit, always ready with a kind word or a classic dad joke, sometimes both. His faith and wisdom shaped every part of his life. A lifelong member of Prospect Baptist Church, he served faithfully as a teacher and deacon for nearly 50 years. Sam shared his faith not through words, but through example living out Christ’s love with generosity, humility, and grace. He never judged, always welcomed, and saw the good in everyone. To him, every person was a potential friend, and many of those friends became like family. It’s often said Sam never met a stranger and it’s true.

Sam was a journeyman machinist who started at Yale and Towne Mfg., and Maremont in Loudon, eventually working at Y-12 in Oak Ridge for over 25 years, while also raising tobacco on the farm with his children. After retiring from Y-12, he became a business consultant for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. He loved his country home and neighbors in Prospect Community. He had a special connection to the Snow family of Stockton Valley and loved them as family. He had too many interests and hobbies to name them all, such as going to bluegrass jams and picking banjo with friends, writing about Bible history, studying the stars and constellations with his telescope, woodworking, cruising in his Miata and spending time on the tractor.

Sam married Sharon Shubert, his high school sweetheart, in 1965. He adored her right up until her death from ALS in 2003. He is also preceded by his parents Martin Lee and Ida Mack Rose Hart. He is survived by his three adoring daughters and sons-in-law: Donna and Mark Dudek, Yvonne and Andrea Buzzini, and Catherine and Randy Jameson. His daughters gave him a pack of best friends, also known as his grandkids: Elizabeth Mauldin-Pakdaman; Cole and Avery Jameson; and Ettore and Ida Rose Buzzini. He is also survived by his beloved partner of 13 years, Julie Parton, and cousins Linda and Stephanie.

In lieu of flowers, the family is happy if you make donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA.org), or a charity of your choice.

Receiving of Sam’s friends will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, at Loudon Funeral Home in Loudon, TN, followed by the memorial service at 4 p.m. officiated by Rev. Greg Jameson. The burial will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, at Prospect Baptist Church cemetery.