John Benson Hart passed away February 2, 2021 in his home in Blackstone, VA surrounded by family.  From an early age John had always been a tinkerer, and was known to take things apart, sometimes with the unfortunate result of being unable to put them back together.  In his teens he discovered his passion for Radio, and set about creating his own radio station, much to the FCC’s dismay since at the time he didn’t have a broadcast license.  Still he persevered and in time moved to Kenbridge and was able to start his own licensed radio station WPEX FM 90.9.

 

John Hart has also worked at every local radio station in an engineering capacity at one time or another.  His actioned have enabled stations such as WBBC, WKLV, WVHL,WPZZ, and WDZY to remain on the air, and broadcast through sometimes inclement conditions.  If you have ever turned the radio on to listen for school closings over the last 3 decades there is a good chance John Harts actions have made this possible.  Thousands of individual lives have been touched by his actions over the years, most without ever knowing the man who made it possible.

 

He is survived by 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 siblings, though the influence of his actions will be felt by all in southside Virginia.