My friend Harvey. I know your up in heaven watching all of them videos you recorded of the services at Sycamore Baptist Church and visiting with many of the people who were in them. My love and thoughts are with your loving family. Proverbs 3-5&6

His Journey’s Just Begun By Ellen Brenneman

Don’t think of him as gone away his journey’s just begun; life holds so many facets this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing, but our sadness can really pass away.

And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched… for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.

Papa Harvey was the gentlest, most loving soul and words cannot convey how dearly he will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.  He made us laugh, he was a safe harbor to help us weather any storm, he was a soft place to land when we needed to escape, and above all else he always made us feel special and loved.  

Some of my fondest memories are of hanging out in his garage and watching him work on his car or the dune buggy (he would syphon gas from the car with a hose and spit out a mouthful once he got it flowing, as a child this always fascinated me and seemed a little silly).  I remember rides in the VW where Papa would sometimes drive backwards.  There were long drives at Christmas time to see the lights and pick out a new Christmas ornament.  He taught me how to ride a bike and I remember being so afraid of falling but he patiently ran alongside me holding on to the seat until he felt I was stable enough to do it on my own.  We spent long summer days picking mulberries, hanging out in the pool, or wandering around the yard looking for fun things to explore.  We would go to Cascades at night (in our pajamas) to see the changing colors of the fountains and Papa would roll down the hill with us, never caring if he got dirty.  I could list a thousand memories and still have countless more to share.  He filled the years with love, my childhood with laughter and fun, he helped me navigate the struggles of being a teenager, and watched over me as I became an adult and started my own family.

I will keep him in my heart and his love and the memories we shared will guide me on my journey until the day we meet again.

When I think about my great grandpa, papa Harvey, I remember all the ways in which he loved our family. Papa Harvey was always fixing or building something, whenever he was asked or needed to get his hands dirty he never hesitated. Stories were another way papa Harvey loved to connect to us, many times I remember being entranced with stories of his life during his youth. I will never forget papa’s sense of humor, a joke always comes to mind that he once said about being a mushroom. I will fondly remember his quirks, his love of sweets, his smile and all the love he had for us.

I joined this family at the age of 16 when I started dating Carlotta (Harvey's granddaughter).  It snuck up on me, but I realize Harvey was a part of my life for 26 years.  So many occasions, holidays, get togethers, I got to sit with him and listen to his stories and share laughs.  He was an amazing person with an incredible personality and had so much to offer everyone around him.  He cared for his family so much and it was extremely easy to tell just how much he loved them.  I will miss him and always carry his memory with me, not forgetting to share with my children how awesome their great grandfather truly was.

I will forever be reminded of Grandpa when my students read the book The Outsiders at school. I can still see the twinkle in his eyes as he told me all about his rebellious youth. 

I see his mannerisms in my son sometimes, and it brings a smile to my face. Every time I eat a banana, I'm reminded of Grandpa's old tin lunchbox  covered in about a million banana stickers.

There's the little table he lovingly painted that my kids grew up eating at. It has the tiny chairs that he salvaged from the basement at Sycamore. The ones we all remember sitting in at Sunday school.  Some day my grandkids will sit there too. 

I will always favor Tang over orange juice, picnics over restaurants, and I will never catch a fish without thinking about kissing it. I can bring to memory at any time the way he smelled when he came home from work. Smells evoke such strong emotions and for me this one is love. 

I have a million and one great memories of Grandpa. Every last one of them is filled with love and warmth. They have their own special place in my heart and while he is no longer with me, I know I will forever feel his presence in the little things that are all my memories of Grandpa.

Papa, 

     I have been so blessed to have you as my papa for so many years.  Your patience, love, and kindness will be dearly missed.  You gave the greatest hugs and told the best stories!  I already miss you too much.  I love you, not a day will go by without you on my mind and in my heart.

Love  Jojo

My Dad was a great man, words can’t describe how proud I am to be his daughter. He took such loving care of my sister and I. When he became a grandfather he was so proud of his grandkids and great grandchildren. He was a Christian so I take solace in knowing he is in heaven. Rest in peace dad until we are together again. Love your daughter Pam.

My thoughts and prayers are with Harvey's daughters for the loss of their father. Harvey was one of the finest men that I knew. It was an honor to be his son-in-law.

My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. This is my second family I've know the Kohns my whole life.  Love you all so much

OBITUARY

Harvey Wellington Kohn

September 24, 1935 – March 9, 2024

Burden-Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home

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