James "Jim" R Harvey

James Richard (Jim)

(Age 85)

Jim Harvey passed away November 12, 2011 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born in San Francisco, CA on September 22, 1926 to Cecil and Catherine Harvey. Cecil died in a car accident soon afterwards and Catherine and Jim moved to Los Angeles. In 1943 he joined the Navy and served on the USS Boston in the South Pacific. Upon his discharge in 1946 he moved with his grandmother to Orofino, ID to be with his mother and stepfather, Raleigh Brown. Jim met Doris Rugg, a local farm girl from Peck, Idaho, fell in love and they were married on May 18, 1947. In 1949 Jim and Doris moved to Spokane which would become their lifelong home. Their son Richard was born in 1954, followed by Leslie in 1956. Jim drove trucks for 40 years, and finally retired from trucking in 1988. However, that did not mean that Dad stopped working. He was a tireless volunteer at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, serving as the Head Usher for many years, and also teaming with his good friend Norm Barnhart to build, fix, and paint anything that was needed by elderly members and friends of the church. Dad could repair anything that was broken, with special care and patience. He loved to share funny jokes and stories with everyone, and also enjoyed travelling with Mom in their motor home and camping with friends. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris; son Richard (Carol); daughter Leslie (Matt) Thistle; grandchildren Shaunna (William) Baldyga; Rebecca Harvey; Hayley Thistle; and great-grandson Taub Baldyga. We will all miss Dad very much, for he was such a kind and gentle soul who always worked hard, loved his family, and tirelessly made himself available to serve others.

A Memorial Service will be held at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Millwood Community Presbyterian Church Jim Harvey Memorial Fund.