Richard Harvey

Services for Richard Harvey, 70, Tyler, are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Stewart Family Funeral Chapel with Rev. Paul Powell officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Harvey passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005 in Tyler. Born to the late M. J. Harvey, Sr. and Frances Sledge Harvey on April 20, 1934 in Tyler, Mr. Harvey lived in the East Texas Community his entire life. A graduate of Tyler Public Schools, he attended Southern Methodist University where he received a Business Administration Degree in management. He later accepted a position with Tyler Pipe Industries founded by his father. In 1969, Richard resigned his position as Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors of Tyler Pipe Industries to devote full time to his business, ranching and civic interests. Mr. Harvey had many business interest including owning and operating a ranch and owning Barclay Apartments as well as The Honey Tree, a health food store and restaurant in Tyler. He held a commercial, multi-engine instrument rating, and had logged as excess of 6,000 hours of flying time. Richard served his community in many facets including being a member of the Board of Directors of the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom and Board Member of Lone Star 2000 and the Texas Ranger Association Foundation. He started the Free Enterprise Educational Institution of Texas in 1986, being the Chairman of the Board. This Institution rewards high school and college students for writing an essay on the subject of "What Free Enterprise Means to Me". The scholarship program has given away in excess of $200,000 to deserving students over the last sixteen years. In 1984, 1988, and 1994, Mr. Harvey ran in the Texas State Senate District 2 race against Democrat nominees and was edged out each time receiving just under half the vote. He accomplished this with campaign spending of less than half of his opponents. He and his wife were members of the First Baptist Church of Tyler. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and jogging. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and sportsman. Mr. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Rick, Harvey, Jr. Richard is survived by his loving family including his wife of 51 years, Evelyn; son, Michael Brown Harvey of Florida; daughters, Frances Harvey Keaton of Connecticut and Kathryn Harvey Diamond of Texas; grandchildren, Julian Keaton, Lauren Keaton, Evelyn Keaton, and Samuel Diamond; brother, M. J. Harvey, Jr. of Dallas. Honorary Pallbearers will be Glenn Elliott, Max Womack, Bob Mitchell, J. B. Smith, Bobby Nichols, Luther Glass, and his law enforcement friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, south Tyler, 75703.

Richard Harvey

April 20, 1934 - December 13, 2005