Harvey L. Styles, 88, of Greenwood passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020 in his home with family. He was the son of Chester L. Styles, Sr. and Clara Jones Styles and was born January 4, 1932 in Greenwood, Arkansas. He was a loving husband to Martha Ann Styles for 66 years. He was a member of Greenwood First Baptist Church. He trusted Jesus as his savior in a foxhole in North Korea and upon his return home was baptized in Vasche Grasse Creek by Dr. Trueman Moore, Pastor of Jenny Lind, Arkansas, First Baptist Church.
Harvey was a life member of VFW Post 6527, Greenwood Masonic Lodge 131, and the 188th Old Guard. He graduated from Draughon’s Business College in Fort Smith and attained his associate’s degree from Carl Albert Junior College in Poteau, and attended Oklahoma Southeastern State University for three years.
He enlisted in the Army in May of 1950 and after completing basic training was assigned as a basic training instructor at Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Harvey served in the Korean War as an Automatic Rifleman with the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division from 1951-1952. Upon his return, he was in the U.S. Army reserves thru 1955. After leaving the U.S. Army, he transferred to the 188th Arkansas Air National Guard. The 188th was called to active duty for one year during the Vietnam War. He was a full-time employee with the Air National Guard for 25 years before retiring as Chief Master Sergeant with over 31 years of military service. He courageously and sacrificially served his country.
Harvey continued his Federal Civil Service career with the Navy in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, with the Army Corps of Engineers serving in the NEPO, Near East Project Office in Tel Aviv, Israel; Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and the South Atlantic Division in Atlanta, Georgia as Chief Command Support. He then transferred to the Naval Surface Warfare Center as Head of Command Support and member of the Board of Directors for the Naval base in Dahlgren, Virginia and White Oak Laboratory in White Oak, Maryland. Harvey retired in 1987 with 35 years in the Federal Civil Service from the Department of Defense.
Harvey loved God and deeply cared for others. He was generous and a man of integrity. He was a loving husband, Dad, and Papa and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Ann, of 66 years; daughter, Judy Tedford and husband, Michael; son, Roger Styles and wife, Theresa; two grandsons, Michael Shea Tedford and wife, Jessica and great grandson, Harvey Michael; Will Styles and wife, Jordan, two great granddaughters, Harris Rose and Sadie Belle; and sisters, Artie Been and Nona Burks.
Preceded in death by his parents, Chester L. Styles, Sr. and Clara Jones Styles; Martha’s parents, Bill and Nellie Powell; grandson, Sean Michael Tedford; brother, C.L. Styles, Jr. and sisters, Gladys Henley and Ellen Ralston.
Visitation will be at the Greenwood First Baptist Church Sanctuary on Tuesday, September 8 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Celebration of Harvey’s life will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 9 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with Pastor Ronnie Deal officiating with full military honors under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harvey’s son, Roger Styles, grandsons, Will Styles and Shea Tedford, son-in-law, Michael Tedford, nephew, Doug Ralston, Mayor Doug Kinslow and the 188th Old Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gospel Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 405, Van Buren, AR 72957-9972 or to the charity of your choice.
