James Leonard Harvey

James (Jim) Harvey was born to Anastasia and Leonard Harvey 91 years ago in Clairton PA. He grew up in the steel town, the youngest of four siblings, Tom, Joan, and Patricia – all of whom predeceased him. He worked at the U.S. Steel Co. before and after joining the U.S. Army in 1954. Part of his 2-year military service included a deployment to Germany where he claimed to have been sent to ‘save the Frauleins’. Returning to Clairton, he enjoyed his time waterskiing and partying with friends. In 1964, he and a buddy headed West, arriving in L.A. where his life took on new meaning. He joined Stanley Works, beginning a 30-year career as a sales representative. He met his future bride of 60 years around the swimming pool of the apartment complex where they both resided. Soon Jim was transferred to Denver, so the romance was either all or nothing. On July 3rd 1965, the wedding bells rang at the old San Gabrial Mission. The fireworks started the next day (July 4th). In December 1965, Jim was transferred to Northern California where he and Linda raised 3 children and enjoyed all the benefits of the area for the rest of his life. With both parental families in the East, traveling was inevitable, starting with tent trailer trips across country. Upon retirement, we were seldom home. Despite Jim’s middle name “Jim ‘I’m not going’ Harvey”, he managed to visit all 7 continents, 84 countries, 50 states and all the oceans via land, sea, and air. Driving 145K miles in RVs included trips to Alaska, the Hudson Bay, through Central America to Panama and around the US several times. Ship travels included a 105-day world cruise. It was a great life with very special friends and neighbors along the way.

Jim leaves his wife, Linda, children Bryan, Susan and Mark (Sheryl), granddaughter Hailey, sister-in-law Jean Runkle, nieces Patty (Dave) Lewis, Anne (Todd) Simmers, Elaine Chimenti, Kirsten Simpson, nephews Tim Harvey, John Chimenti and Brooks Runkle.