Ralph D. “Bud” Harvey, age 80, of Mount Gilead, died peacefully on Monday afternoon, April 30, 2012, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
On July 22, 1931, Bud was born in Cyclone, Pennsylvania, one of two children of the late Wilmont and Lela (Hendrickson) Harvey. He graduated from Bradford High School, near Cyclone, in the Class of 1951.
At a very young age, Bud met one of his neighbors, Sally Rankin, who would be by his side nearly his entire life. Bud and Sally were high school sweethearts, and were married shortly thereafter on January 22, 1955, in Cyclone, Pennsylvania. Together they shared over 57 years of marriage, and lovingly raised two daughters: Judy and Beverly.
Shortly after graduating high school, Bud began working in gas and oil well drilling with Fitzgerald’s Drilling. Then, in 1964, Bud was a part of Fitzgerald’s Drilling group that was sent to Morrow County during their oil boom. For over 25 years, he worked in this industry both with Fitzgerald’s Drilling and with John Grimm. Later, he owned and operated B & D Trucking with Don Rice, until he retired.
Despite moving to Mount Gilead in 1964, Bud’s heart remained in the Allegheny Forests of Pennsylvania. He spent the better part of every summer at “the camp”, where he canned vegetables and told story after story with his friends and family.
One of Bud’s favorite seasons in Pennsylvania, wasn’t one of the normal four seasons, instead it was trout fishing season. He always made sure he was there for the opening of the trout season, and fishing as often as he could. He shared his love of fishing in the streams of the Allegheny with his family, and most especially with his grandchildren. Every 4th of July, he would use the bounty of his catch to have a big fish fry for everyone in the neighborhood. He also enjoyed deer hunting in the forests of the Allegheny every chance he could.
With a love for most everything about the outdoors, Bud was notorious for always “taking the scenic route” any where, “never driving the same way twice” and often preferring “the long way” to get somewhere.
Cherishing every moment spent with his grandchildren, Bud enjoyed teaching them to “can, fish and argue”.
Quite the jokester, Bud had a way of telling stories and you never knew if it was going to be a true story or just another tall tale to pull your chain. He had a “great sense of humor”, keeping everyone on their toes until his final days.
A determined man, if Bud wanted to know how something worked, you could be certain he would figure it out one way or another. He also remembered most every detail of everything he learned or experienced, which only enhanced his ability to tell a good story.
Bud was a member of the Moose Lodge in Galion, and the V.F.W. Post 8054 and AmVets Post 87 in Mount Gilead.
He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Sally Harvey of Mount Gilead; two daughters: Judy (Larry) Parker of Springfield, and Beverly (Jon) Axthelm of Cardington; four grandchildren: Jamie (Carina) Pitts, Jonda Axthelm, Jeff Axthelm, and Robin Kinkelaar; four great-grandchildren: Byron and Emma Pitts, Jack Kinkelaar, and Tori Johnson; and a special niece, Cindy Moore of Bolivar, NY.
Including his parents, Bud was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Viola and Frank Lindsey.
The Harvey family will greet friends from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services celebrating his life will follow at 4:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County, 228 South St., Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338. Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to serve Bud’s family, and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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