Tory Hart

Funeral services for Tory M. Hart, 46, of Waverly, formerly of Spencer, will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Roger Linnan will officiate the service. Visitation will be conducted one hour prior to the services at the chapel. Interment will be conducted at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. He passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024, at his home in Waverly.

Tory was born to Murray and Jackie Hart, on Dec. 30,1977, in Boise, Idaho. He was the baby of the family, and was welcomed home by Todd, Tiffany and Troy. Tory’s Mom always called him her “little rubber Duck,” and soon friends began to follow suit. The nickname “Duck” stuck with him his entire life.

His family moved to Spencer in early 1980. Tory loved and excelled in sports in his youth and was a star performer in baseball, basketball, football and golf. He played in the Little League World Series, played in the High School State Basketball Tournament, and was a varsity golfer all four years of high school. He also was part of the state championship team in football, and made the game-winning tackle! Tory graduated high school in 1996, and from there he went to Luther College in Decorah. He majored in business management, and played basketball and golf for the school. He and his golf teammates made it to nationals his freshman year, where he was all-conference golf for all four years of college. His years of golfing for Luther were among the greatest times of his life, and left him with lifelong friendships.

At the age of 17, Tory got his first job working for his future brother-in-law, at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course. After college, Tory interned at the Pistachio Corporation of Arizona in Bowie, Arizona. From there he moved to Camdenton, Missouri, and was the assistant golf pro at Old Kinderhook Golf Course. In 2001, he joined his dad and his brother in the motel business in Spencer. This led to Tory moving to Cedar Falls, to operate a new motel in 2010. After that, Tory jumped around a bit, going from running another motel to being a greenskeeper.

Golf was always a passion for Tory and he played in and won many tournaments. His favorite tournament was the Northwest Amateur, and his best showing was a top 10 finish. Tory grew up playing golf at the Spencer Golf and Country Club, and was Men’s Club Champion in 2002, 2003 and 2007.

Tory loved to hang out with his friends, whether video games, golfing, shooting pool or playing cards. He was excellent at pool and Gin Rummy. Following in his dad’s footsteps, after beating you, you might hear him say “Just like pushing little chickies off the dock.” He had a great sense of humor, fun loving personality and loved to tease. If he was giving you a hard time, you knew he loved you. He was a lifelong Raiders and Lakers fan, as well as the St. Louis Cardinals, to honor his grandpa. You could always find him listening to his favorite group, Pearl Jam. His smile would light up every room he walked in. He was fiercely protective of his siblings, especially his “little sister.” Tory loved his family dearly, and we are profoundly sad at his sudden passing.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his sister, Nikki, and his beloved dad.

Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.