Austin Lee Hart

Austin Lee Hart was born Nov. 29, 1988, and passed away April 2, 2026, at the age of 37. He was the first child born to Jennifer Freeland Hammons and the first grandchild to Joe and Charlotte Freeland. He graduated high school at Marion C. Early in Morrisville, in 2007. Ten years later, he married Kristen Reilly, the love of his life. Together they gave life to two sons, Cooper Trace Hart and Briar Ray Hart. 

He was deeply loved by his family and friends. He was of the Baptist faith and accepted Jesus as his personal savior at the age of 12 years old. 

He was preceded in death by several of the “great-grandparents, aunts and uncles” generation. Two that must be mentioned are his maternal great-grandparents, J. Paul and Effie Keith, referred to as Nanie and Papa. They were a very important part of his life until they departed this earth in 2020. 

He was a hard worker from the time he was a little boy. His adult years were spent in taxidermy and construction, at which he excelled in both categories. He loved the woods, the river, the creeks, all the outdoors. One particular place that was always special to him was “the rock” in the woods, where he and his grandpa spent a lot of time while down at his grandparents’ home in Douglas county. 

He is survived by his wife Kristen, and their two sons, Cooper and Briar, all of Springfield; his parents, who prayed for him daily, George and Jennifer Hammons, of Morrisville; four brothers: Cory Hart, of Willard; Darrel White (Candice), of Ozark; Josh White (Tiffanie), of Ozark; and Shayne Hammons (Alicia), of Morrisville; one sister, Evin Collins, of Springfield; his in-laws, John and Laura Reilly, of Strafford; one sister-in-law, Katelyn Reilly, of Springfield; one brother-in-law, Kenny Reilly, of Strafford; his maternal grandparents, Joe and Charlotte Freeland, of Ava; his “Funcle” J.R. and Aunt Stacy Freeland, of Ava; his uncle Kelly and Aunt Casey Freeland, of Clever; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.