Dr. Zachary Phillip Hart

Dr. Zachary Phillip Hart, age 33 of Muscle Shoals, AL & Clarkesville, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Born November 3, 1991, Zac was the son of Robin Patton Hart and the late Howard Phillip Hart.  He was born and raised in Habersham County and was a 2010 graduate of Habersham Central High School.  Zac completed his undergraduate work in Biology at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where he was a student athlete serving as captain of the Lynx football team his junior and senior years.  He went on to attend DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine where he earned his Doctorate in 2018.  Dr. Hart completed his residency in internal medicine at Augusta University in 2021. He worked his first two years as an internist at North Alabama Medical Center and then transitioned to Helen Keller Hospital in 2023 where he was currently employed as a hospitalist.

Zac was an avid outdoorsman who especially loved fishing, deer and duck hunting. He was also quite the pit master and enjoyed smoking, grilling and cooking for his family and friends.  Additionally, he was a sports nut, whether it be football, baseball, golf, softball or weight lifting, he loved it all!  One of Zac’s favorite ways to unwind was with his family at Topsail Island, a tradition they had held for any years.  He was a member of The Torch worship center and had traveled on several medical mission trips to Haiti. Known for his kind and generous nature, Zac exemplified leadership, integrity and a passion for serving. 

In addition to his father, Zac is preceded in death by his grandfather Rex Patton, and grandparents Howard and Frances Hart.

Survivors include his mother Robin Patton Hart of Clarkesville, sister and brother in law Reagan and Noah Daunch of Cleveland, grandmother Melva Lynn Patton of Blairsville, aunts and uncles Cynthia and Matt Jarvis of Hendersonville, NC, Kim and Gary Blasingame of Lula, Mike and Shelby Patton of Blairsville and Mitch and Joy Patton of Blairsville, his girlfriend of 6 years Whitney Willingham of Muscle Shoals, AL, as well as numerous cousins and extended family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, March 22, 2025 at The Torch, 800 Cannon Bridge Road, Demorest, GA 30535.  The family will receive friends at The Torch, prior to the service from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM.  A reception will follow the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Zac Hart Memorial Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF). Checks should be made payable to NGCF and include the Zac Hart Memorial Fund on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to 340 Jesse Jewell Parkway SE, Suite 605, Gainesville, GA 30501. Donations to the Fund can also be made online at: www.ngcf.org/donate.

An online guestbook is available for the family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.