Harvey Robert Dorsey

Harvey was born in Union, Oklahoma on November 23, 1930. It was in Oklahoma that he was raised, and he graduated high school in El Reno, Oklahoma. He went on to attend El Reno Community College and then the Blackwood Davis Business School. Little did he know that his choice to attend this course of higher education would change his life so significantly for the better.

In 1949, Harvey met a fellow student named Lenard. Lenard was active playing piano in a band that was led by a Mr. Bruce Cope. Lenard invited Harvey to a practice session in which Mr. Cope’s daughter was also in attendance – a woman who would become Harvey’s bride, Alma Jean.

Harvey enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. He and Alma Jean were married on December 29, 1951. His service at Larson Air Force Base brought this new family to Spokane, Washington where they made their first home. Harvey served four honorable years, returning to civilian life in 1954.

The young family then moved to Olympia, Washington where Harvey would work with his father and uncle for a short time. They then found their way slightly north, where Harvey was hired into the Ship Fitter apprenticeship at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. He would go on to graduate the apprenticeship at a journeyman mechanic, at a time when the shipyard was still actively building ships. From there, Harvey worked his way up to Foreman in the sheet metal shop. He then applied for a Ships Progress section, located in the Production Department. He moved up the ranks to become the Head of the Progress Department and designated Chief Progressman in 1976. Harvey finally retired in 1986 after 35 long, rewarding years of Federal Service.

Harvey lived a fulfilled life, enjoying many hobbies such as golf, RV camping, and square dancing (where he and Alma Jean made many lifelong friends). He always worked hard for his family, remodeling the family home to accommodate his growing family in a larger space. Under some protest, he gardened vegetables to give the family fresh produce. Harvey’s free time was spent listening to or watching baseball, and he also liked putting together complex puzzles, model airplanes, scrabble, playing poker, and excelling at dominos. He would tell his son, Mark, that while at Blackwood Davis he often made extra money playing dominoes at the local pool hall!

Harvey and Jean were happily married for 67 years. They have 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Harvey was preceded in death by Alma Jean in 2019.

Harvey will be missed by all. We are comforted in the fact that he is with his beloved wife Alma Jean. Anyone who wishes to share their memories are welcome and encouraged to do so.

After the service on Saturday, June 4, there will be a graveside internment for those who want to attend.