Rocky Wayne Harvey

The youngest of six children, Rocky Wayne Harvey was born on February 7th, 1952 to Warren Elder Harvey and Emily Amaral Harvey in Louisiana, where his father was stationed in the Navy. He grew up in the Encinitas CA area. After graduation from high school Rocky worked in the building industry. He became a skilled and very talented cabinetmaker. Many beautiful homes boast of his work, and family and friends too! He moved to the Coachella Valley, married Catherine Fay Harvey and helped raise her two daughters, Mary Fasano of Yucca Valley, CA and Pamela Izboinikov (Vlad)of Colorado Springs, CO. Cathy and Rocky had 2 children together, Amber Harvey (Anthony Campbell) of Yucca Valley, CA and Brian Harvey (Sharlah) also of Yucca Valley, CA. After Catherine’s death in 2005 Rocky tried an online dating service and found Karen Hausteen. In a few short months the two were married in Big Bear AZ, and made their home in Joshua Tree, CA. He gained 3 more sons in this marriage, Matthew Prante (Suzette), Douglas Prante (Donna), and David Prante (Helen). From all of these kids he had a whole bunch of grandkids: 14 grands and 3 great grands! Rocky enjoyed camping and fishing with the family. They remember making trips to June Lake and Walker River in California. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, even though he often got sea sick and never ate what he caught, he did not like fish! Rocky enjoyed watching the Angels play baseball, win or lose, and lots of football games on TV. Rocky and Karen bought an airplane and he took flying lessons, he loved flying! One day flying with his instructor they crashed into the highest point in Joshua Tree National Park on a short flight to Palm Springs. After 8 hours they were found having endured rain, wind, snow, and freezing cold. Rocky suffered a broken leg that caused him much grief and eventually ended in an amputation. This slowed him down some, but he enjoyed telling his tale. He enjoyed kidding around about his prosthetic leg to the kids too. He enjoyed flying with Karen from time to time and could fly and land that plane if ever he needed to. Rocky and Karen moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2012. He tolerated the summer heat and grew to enjoy the lifestyle here. They bought a home in New River where Rocky was able to build his own shop on the property where he puttered around and escaped from the house. He continued to create beautiful kitchens for a few friends and family. Together, Rocky and Karen bought a motorhome and traveled to CA, OR, NM, UT and around AZ; he loved the ability to travel in style. Rocky also thoroughly loved cruising and made a couple of trips to Alaska, Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean. He enjoyed the buffets most of all! A few years ago, he suffered a stroke that robbed him of finding words to socialize with family and friends. He still enjoyed taking the RV to the Colorado River often, and to Quartzsite annually, as well as some off the highway trips into the forests and deserts around AZ with the kids. Eventually the stroke slowed him down physically and so there was less traveling. The covid virus caught him and he fell under its spell. He passed away peacefully on December 11th, 2021. He left us sooner than we were ready for him to leave. He will be deeply missed. A time to remember Rocky will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 East Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ShadowMountainMortuary.com for the Harvey family.