Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey

Battle Creek - Born in a small town in Iowa, Paul Harvey beloved husband, Dad, Grandpa, brother, and uncle moved with his family to a rural home outside of New Vienna, OH, and then to Richmond, IN, where he spent most of his youth. From an early age, it was clear that he had a huge heart that would open wide to others. As a young man, he spent several summers leading camping and canoeing trips to northern Wisconsin with groups of at-risk teenage boys to provide them with positive role models and help them build confidence in life. That dedication to service and love for the outdoors blossomed further into a summer of farming with his uncle in Iowa, as well as an outdoor survival trip to Colorado with young men through the Outward Bound community program.

Paul graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1964 and four years later, from Earlham College (also in Richmond) with a BA in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, he began his teaching career in Battle Creek, MI, initially with 6th graders at Fremont Elementary School. Soon after moving to Battle Creek, he met his bride-to-be and love of his life, Betty Peck (Harvey) affectionately named "Buff" to those close to her while they were performing in a musical at the local theatre (an interest they shared through many musicals). Thus also began the love story between Paul and son, Kevin, age 6 at the time.

While busy teaching, he volunteered his time as Camp Director of the YMCA's Clear Lake Camp for several years - even playing his guitar and singing with the campers. Further, he was very proud to serve as a long-time member of Kiwanis. His love for helping both kids and adults succeed in life sparked a mid-career change to become Director of Youth Development for the Battle Creek YMCA. And later on, Paul and Betty owned and managed a variety of home businesses, from hydroponic plants and home goods, to travel and, true to their education roots and innate calling a successful tutoring service that they've loved for years, called Harvey's Nest Learning Center.

His spirit of selfless caring also shone brightly throughout a period of several years that he and Betty took on full-time care of her disabled brother Dick (who adored Paul, of course) in their home. Further, he and Betty have rescued and provided a loving home for countless pets in need. Paul won the hearts of so many, who have described him as kind, compassionate and caring. He's also been called the "great

mitigator and peacemaker" for his unparalleled ability to step back, see the best in everyone, and come to an agreeable solution.

Paul is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, Betty (aka "Buff") and a loving family, including their son, Kevin Harvey (wife, Leslie) of Long Beach, CA; grandsons, Trayer Harvey of Los Angeles, and Paden Harvey of Long Beach along with two brothers, Dave Harvey (wife, Deb) of Dayton, OH and Tim Harvey (wife, Rita) of Crossville, TN; and two sisters, Verna Tweddale of Philadelphia, PA and Cindy

Hankins (husband, Lee) of The Woodlands, TX. Add to that several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends, and he was truly blessed! He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Wanda Harvey.

Friends are invited to join the family for a memorial visitation at the Baxter Funeral Services, 375 West Dickman Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037 (www.baxterfuneral.com, 269.788.9800) on Friday, March 19, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To honor Paul's life, donations made in his memory to the Humane Society of

South Central Michigan (www.hsscm.org) would be greatly appreciated.