Cassius "Cash" Colby Hart

Cassius "Cash" Colby Hart, 36, passed away on July 3^rd at his home in Liberty, MO. Cassius was born in Peoria, IL on February 4^th, 1987. He moved with his family to Liberty, MO in 1994 where he attended Liberty High School and graduated in 2005. Cassius played baseball and attended classes at Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods. He began his professional career as a store manager at Complete Nutrition before moving to a career in logistics serving as Business Advisor at DexYP from 2014-2019 and as Business Development Manager at Tiger Cool Express from 2019-2023.

Cassius had a fantastic baseball career at Liberty High School and beyond. The game was a passion he found early in life and kept throughout.  He was a fixture in the softball community and played on many local league and traveling teams. “Ultimate teammate”, “fantastic friend”, and “heart of gold” are terms consistently used to describe him by the people he touched.

Cassius loved taking care of other people and was always there for anyone who needed him. He was a protector to all and touched the lives of so many. Along with being a best friend to many, Cassius filled so many roles; son, brother, uncle, and fiancé.

Son: Cassius was grateful to live in the same hometown as his parents. Relying on their helping hands and vice versa. He was thankful to have his dad watch over his beloved St. Bernard, ‘Hank’ and Great Dane ‘Molly’ when he was busy at work or at the ball fields and felt comforted that his mom was just a few blocks away. They were truly blessed to have each other in the big moments and the small.

Brother: Cassius never left out his beloved brother, Sheckey. Dubbed “Chunk” early on, for reasons still unknown, Cassius always included him with his own friends growing up. From front yard baseball to street football and backyard basketball, Sheckey said “he always let me play”. Being on his big brother’s team is what Sheckey said made him feel comfortable, so that’s where you’d ALWAYS find him, on Cassius’ team. Cassius’ friends became Sheckey’s friends too. Cassius continued to include his little brother throughout his life, Grizzly basketball and softball, Indian softball, numerous softball tournaments, they were always found on the same team, “Cassius’ team”, with those same core group of friends.

And Summer, the oldest of the siblings that Daryn said “always made sure we had things we needed, she looked out for him.” Although they didn’t find commonality in sports, Cassius loved his sister Summer just the same. You can find mementos throughout Cassius’ house of things Summer would always bring him home from her trips. He always enjoyed the Chicago Cubs souvenirs she found along the way. Summer and her daughter Jacelyn shared the special Disney bond with Cassius as well. One of Cassius’ last days was spent with Summer, Jacelyn and Daryn attending the Aladdin Musical, a moment they will all continue to cherish and remember forever.

Uncle: It goes without saying but Cassius was an amazing uncle to his 5 nieces and nephews. He loved them all so much, but he also did not enjoy fit throwing. Often, when one was being thrown in his presence, he’d let out a “HEY!”. Usually very successful and followed by a smiling kid. He never hesitated to hold the little ones; Skylar Bear was his fan. He enjoyed roller blading at the local rink with the ones that could hang and chasing Bentley around the ballpark. He once took Jacelyn to the ice rink, where stories were told of him clinging to the edge to keep from falling. Someone who once played ice hockey and skated well, understandably never admitted to this. Jacelyn says that Uncle Cassius was one of the funniest people she knew and that she will always cherish the times they spent watching his softball games and taking care of Hank. Tinleigh Jean was his latest obsession, they loved each other so much. He called her Tinny. She often called him to ask to come over, he learned quickly that he needed to stay prepared with her favorite snacks and candies. She’d spend hours with him, swimming in his new pool, watching her favorite shows, singing all those beloved Disney songs they both enjoyed and especially going into the ‘Beat Laboratory’ with him and Aunt Daryn to play the gnarliest drum solos ever heard. One more nephew was recently added to the crew, Cassius got to meet and hold him a few times and everyone is grateful for that. He was born just 4 weeks ago, named Emerald Alexander Hart. Emerald’s name was changed to Emerald Cassius Hart in honor of the best uncle any kid could ask for. We can only hope that one day Emerald grows up to be just like his amazing Uncle Cassius.

Fiancé: Cassius met the love of his life, Daryn, in 2019 and they recently became engaged. Cassius and Daryn shared so many great adventures together, but it was the everyday moments where their love really shined. You could find them laughing the day away at a local pub or potentially the neighborhood blacktop basketball court, but you could most likely trace them straight to the ‘Beat Laboratory’ singing a beautiful medley of their drastically different music tastes. Building the ‘Beat Laboratory’ alongside his brother was one of many gestures Cassius made to support all of Daryn’s dreams. Cassius was a loyal and protective partner and made Daryn feel so loved every day they were together. Cassius’ vows for his wedding were recently discovered on his laptop and in a few lines, read…

“To the best friend I’ve ever had - Over the last 3 years you’ve allowed me to become a good man. A man with plenty of flaws, but a man that’s happy to wake up with you by my side. I love you. Big time love. Most important person on the planet love. I mean that with as much sincerity as I can possibly convey. You are the single most important person on the planet to me.”

Lifelong Friends Serving as Paul Bearers: Jaime Anderson, Tommy Bennett, Adam Glidewell, Jason Gragg, Kyle Gramlich, Matt Heiman, Zack Jones, Jared Klein, Jared Mathis, and Jack Stasi.

Cassius is survived by his fiancé Daryn Ireton, father and mother Terry and Martha Hart, brother Sheckey Hart and Montana, sister Summer Hart and Jay, and nieces and nephews Jacelyn Rain, Skylar Perry, Bentley Clay, Tinleigh Jean and Emerald Cassius. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Bill and Doris Hart and maternal grandparents Bill and Ileen Bycroft.

Flowers can be sent 9815 N Maywood Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64157.

A Circle of Life Celebration will take place on July 16^th at 5:30 PM at Capital Federal Sports Complex.