Thomas Miller Harvey, 97, St. Joseph, MO passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, MO.
He was born on October 25, 1920 in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Dale and Emma (Miller) Harvey. A few months later, the family moved to a farm five miles east of Blythedale, MO. His grade school years were spent at the rural Donaby School. Later they moved to Blythedale where he graduated from high school in 1938. His education continued by enrolling at the St. Joseph Junior College followed with enrollment at the Guard Business College.
As a student at the University of Missouri in 1942, his education was interrupted by World War II during his sophomore year when he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. Military training began in San Antonio, Texas, followed by a move to Victoria, Texas where he received his commission of 2nd Lieutenant. Graduation in the forenoon earned him his silver wings. A marriage to his fiancée, Elizabeth Webb of Bethany, MO was performed in the afternoon of August 31, 1943.
Flying was a deep devotion that remained with him throughout his lifetime. Military life was experienced in Lake Charles, LA and on to Columbia, South Carolina where he deployed to Hawaii and the Philippines. Later when the war was near the end, many daily scouting flights in his A-26 plane was required over Okinawa.
When his service years ended, he continued with the Air Force Reserves which moved his rank to Major.
Thomas was a hard working person, always dedicated to every work experience or project. While the family was living in Bethany during the 1950’s and `60’s, he owned International Harvester and Buick dealerships.
After his service years, he resumed his studies and enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University to complete his Master’s Degree and acquired his Specialist Degree from Central Missouri State. His educational positions included teaching math at the South Harrison School District, served as principal at North Harrison, and later was employed as Superintendent at Stanberry and North Andrew School District. He retired early from the educational world as his wife, Elizabeth, became ill with ALS and passed away in May 1985. To occupy his time, he became a genealogist and worked with stained glass.
Later he married Gloria Carpenter, and in the years thereafter, they traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada. Family was very important to him.
In 1985, Thomas wrote his life history, My Walk In Life – a family treasure. He was a member of the Methodist church and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth; son, Thomas Webb Harvey; and his second wife, Gloria Harvey.
He is survived by two daughters, Nancy (George) Hammer, St. Joseph, Mary (Sid) Polley, St. Charles, MN; two sisters, Beverly Sheil, Plattsmouth, NE, Dorothy Sheets, Bethany, MO, one brother, Dean Harvey, Fountain Valley, CA; two nephews, Sean (Paula) Sheil, Maryville, MO, Maury Sheil, Bellvue, NE; niece, Kara (Mike) Vanek, Lincoln, NE; 5 grandchildren, Natalie Hammer (Jeff) Noblitt, Laura (Mike) Schram, Lindsay Hammer (Alex) Bartley, Kent (Caitlin) Polley, and Andrew (Jocelyn) Polley, and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Gloria’s family, daughters, Teresa Carpenter (Steven Levy), Jeannie Cummings, Honolulu, HI, Joanie (Tom) Pickens, Kearney, MO; son, Scott Carpenter, Liberty, MO; and grandson, Andrew Levy.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Graveside service with Military Rites will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, MO. There is no scheduled family visitation. Memorials may be made to Mosaic Palliative Care in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com
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