Herman Cozart, 93, of Hale Center, died Tuesday, December 14, 2021, in Plainview, Texas.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in Hale Center, with Dr. Kris Knippa officiating.  Interment with Masonic rites will follow at Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2021, at Ramage Funeral Directors in Hale Center.

Herman was born December 24, 1927, in Hale Center, Texas, to James and Leola (Rice) Cozart. He graduated high school from Stanley, New Mexico, in 1947 and joined the Army Air Corp in 1947.  Stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Herman served as a radiological monitoring instructor until 1950.  He moved back to Hale Center in 1950 and on December 22, 1951, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Smith, in Clovis, New Mexico.  Herman worked in cement contracting with Marvin Bridges for many years before moving into general construction.  He built many houses and businesses in Hale Center throughout the years.

A very civic minded man, Herman was a charter member of the Hale Center Volunteer Fire Department, participated in the EMT training, and served on the Hale Center City Council for 15 years.  He was a longtime Mason and member of Masonic Lodge #832.  His service extended into the First Baptist Church where he took care of all maintenance and repairs for many years.  Named the Grand Marshall for the 4th of July parade and Citizen Thru the Years for Hale Center, Herman was an integral part of the community he loved.  A talented musician, Herman taught himself to play the fiddle, mandolin, and piano. He also enjoyed playing softball and bowling for the Hale Center JayCees and he loved to fish.

Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, on August 4, 2021, five brothers, and four sisters.

Survivors include his son, Ronald Cozart of Hale Center and two daughters, Sandra Cozart-Williams and her husband Randy of Amarillo and Darwina Gobin and her husband Truitt of Celina.  He was blessed with eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund PO Box 396 Hale Center, Texas 79041.