Mr. Jack Willard Harvey's Obituary
Jack Willard Harvey passed away peacefully in his home on February 12, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 10, 1934 in Omaha, Texas and grew up in the nearby town of Naples.
Jack is survived by his children, Renee’ Harvey of Austin, Vicki Dillard and husband Dennis and their daughter Kelley of Pleasanton, CA, Leslee Morgan and her husband Sean and their children Max, Miles, and Maris of Friendswood, and Amy Mitchell and her husband Keith and their daughters Maura and Ellie of Friendswood. Other surviving members of the family are brother J.E. Harvey of Kilgore, brother Thomas Harvey and his wife Hue Lieta of Fort Worth, sister Ramona McDaris of Brooklyn, NY, sister Martha Jane Cowan and husband Larry of Gilmer, and sister in law Jo Harvey of Longview. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Jack graduated from Paul Pewitt High School in Naples, TX in 1953. He attended Kilgore Junior College and received an Associate Arts degree in 1955. In 1957, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin University. He was awarded a Master of Education degree from the University of Houston in 1964.
Jack began his education career in Pasadena Independent School District. He taught English at South Houston Junior High and 5th grade at Red Bluff Elementary School. From there, he served as principal at South Houston, Golden Acres, and Frazier Elementary Schools.
During his twenty years in Pasadena, he served as President of the following organizations: the local Texas State Teachers Association, the Pasadena Administrators’ Council, the Red Bluff PTA, and the Houston Chapter Phi Delta Kappa. He also traveled to schools in Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Russia with a group of educators to compare American educational practices to those of the Soviet Bloc countries. During this period in his life, Jack enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes at Asbury Methodist Church and announcing high school football and baseball games for Pasadena Independent School District. During the summers, he served as a crew member for a deep sea fishing charter ship in the Gulf.
In 1978, Jack accepted a position as assistant principal at Pearland High in Pearland, Texas. From there, he moved to Shadycrest Elementary where he served as principal for twelve years until his retirement in 1992. He maintained close friendships with many of his colleagues throughout his life.
After retirement, Jack served as a substitute administrator, taught Sunday school at Sagemont Church, wrote a humor column in the Sagemont magazine, traveled twice to Africa on mission trips, travelled multiple times to his favorite city, Paris, France, and volunteered as tutor for students in Houston’s Third Ward. He was also an avid reader who loved to study Shakespeare and other classic prose. As a humorous, sometimes satirical wordsmith, writer, and artist, Jack entertained friends and family with his unique perspective of life.
He enjoyed playing tennis, but his favorite outdoor pastime was golf, which he played for many years. His other favorite activity in later years was doting on his grandchildren, who he loved with all his heart. Blessed with intelligence, creativity, and a big heart, Jack Harvey left this world a better place for those who knew him.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 21, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Sagemont Church11300 S. Sam Houston Parkway Houston, TX 77089. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM.
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