Kenneth Earl Harvey

Kenneth “Ken” Earl Harvey, 82, passed away on December 25, 2022, after a courageous ten-year battle with chronic illness. He was preceded by his father, Earl Harvey, and his mother, Myrtie “Bess” Harvey. He is survived by his beloved family: his wife, Barbara Harvey, and sons, Steve and David Harvey, his granddaughter, Alicia Yarrish and her husband, Teylor, and great-grandchildren, Greyson and Kennedy, his namesake; and his sister, Linda Cotton, her husband, Jim, and their family.

Kenneth was born on September 4, 1940, in Center, Texas. From that moment he had an idyllic childhood filled with fun and loving memories of his parents and sister. Kenneth’s unique personality evolved throughout his childhood and would be the reason he was so well-loved through this life by everyone he came in contact with. He was a thorough conversationalist, and that combined with his humor made for hours of engaging talks. He cared for others in an unmatched way, ensuring everyone was logistically taken care of and felt loved.

His childhood came to a close when he met the love of his life, Barbara, as a high school senior. After graduating high school, Kenneth went to Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) and studied there for a year and a half. After which, he made the brave decision to run back home to Barbara so he didn’t lose her to another man! Soon after moving back home to be with his other half and continue college locally, the two began their marriage on August 6, 1960. It quickly became a strong, communicative, and loving marriage to last a lifetime. They started their family soon after, welcoming Steve and David in the following years. In true Harvey fashion, he made a lifetime of beautiful memories with his family that make you chuckle as much as smile.

He went to work to support his family and to make those beautiful memories all while working towards his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, which he proudly earned from the University of Houston Clear Lake in 1991. He used his degree to further his career at Lubrizol Corporation where he was loved by so many for his quick wit humor and unmatched work ethic.

Kenneth enjoyed many hobbies throughout his full life. He was a man who could do and fix just about anything. His love for working out problems, by numbers and knowledge and hands-on, never ended. From stained glass to golfing to house projects to working out the ever-complicated toilet paper math - he was a pro at it all.

His favorite hobby by far was spending time with and loving on his family: his wife and two sons, his granddaughter, and his great-grandchildren. A close second was travel. Whether it was trekking his family and Mom to Israel or to Branson for an educational and fun trip, or motor-homing all around the country with his wife, or journeying to Germany to be with his granddaughter when his great-grandson was born, he made countless memories on his travels with so many of his loved family members.

There aren’t enough positive and loving words to describe Kenneth and how well he meticulously cared for others above himself. Please join us at Pace-Stancil in Coldspring, Texas in celebrating Kenneth’s life. A visitation will be held Monday, January 2, 2023, from 5-8 pm and funeral services Tuesday, January 3rd at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sarcoidosis research so that other families may find a cure.

Lovingly written by Kenneth’s (Grandaddy) granddaughter, Alicia.