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John Theotis Harvey II
Born: 4/10/1931
Died: 1/20/2021
Age: 89
Community: formerly of Flint, MI
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John Theotis Harvey II, born April 10, 1931, in Wayside, Kansas, he was the seventh of eight children. And the fifth son born to Charleston W Harvey and Florea E Roberts. During John’s formative years his parents moved from Wayside, Kansas to Independence, Kansas seeking employment opportunities. John moved to Yakima, WA, with his parents blessing to complete high school. While in Yakima he was an outstanding high school athlete lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track. After high school, he went on to University Washington, where he was outstanding running back. As much as John enjoyed college, things changed in his life and he enlisted in the US Army.
While in the Army, he was a military police officer, and he boxed in the Golden Gloves. When he was stationed in Korea during the war, he suffered from severe frost bite. Although John recovered from the frost bite, he had health challenges throughout his life. However, John did not allow this to define him.
A few years later, while still in the army, John at the base in Battle Creek, MI, where a friend of his HB Dixson introduced him to his sister Lela M Dixson. Although Lela did not appear interested, John says over time he won her over with his charm and they married after he was discharged from the army.
When John moved to Flint, he became a member of the Flint Police Department. After a year he left the police force and began working at AC Spark Plugs, where he became active in the union. John did not leave law enforcement behind as he became a part-time deputy sheriff and remained one until he left the area. He also obtained a cosmetologist license and participated in hair competitions with his wife as his hair model. Although John stopped doing hair, he retired from AC Spark Plugs after 35 years.
Now, John had an active spiritual life. He was raised in St. John’s Baptist Church in Independence, KS. Like so many young people he left the church. But when he married Lela, he became an active member of Canaan Baptist Church where Lela and her family belonged. While at Canaan, he sang in the Young Adult Choir. John and his family moved their membership to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, to support his brother-in-law the Late Rev. H B Dixson. While at Mt. Zion, John was a part of the security ministry. He remained a part of this ministry until he left Flint to live with his daughter in New Jersey, but at heart he was still a member of Mt. Zion. And he watched worship services on Facebook as often as he could.
John was continually active in local politics. He would attend city council and county commissioner's meetings. He also worked on and led the campaigns of persons who ran for school board, city council, county commissioner, mayor, state legislators, congresspersons, and senators.
Throughout the 1960s John was active in the civil rights movement. He would leave his family on the weekends and go south to help with voter registration. He also was an active member of the NAACP. In the late 60s, early 70s, he became the president of the Flint chapter of the NAACP. He represented the Flint branch at the state, regional and national level. When he gave up being president, he began working security for the NAACP on the national level. As security personnel he was able to meet presidents and many Black and African dignitaries. He was a life-member.
John not only was active in the civil rights movement, but he also informed and taught young people and adults about their rights as a Black person in America. He worked tirelessly to help young people obtain scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) throughout the country, but he had a special place in his heart for Howard University as both his children are graduates. But any child that needed help or a listening ear he made himself available. He remained a big supporter of post high school education as a means of leveling the playing field for young Black people. But he knew everyone was not built for college and believed that vocational school was equally important to one’s success. He wanted young people to dream big, and work towards those goals. And like his late wife, he believed “If you are going to be a ditch digger, be the best ditch digger there is.”
John like his wife Lela was devoted to his family. He sat through concerts, track meets, football games and anything else his children Ruth and John were involved. And he has remained proud of their achievement throughout their lives.
John's hobbies included bowling in which he earned several trophies. He was a referee in football, basketball, and track in the Flint area. He also was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen’s Association, and Prince Hall Order of the Masons.
John received accolades from many organizations for his service such as but not limited to the NAACP for years of service, various City and County service awards, and St. John Crew.
John gave his time, talent, and treasure to those who asked for his help. He gave liberally to family, friends, and his church. There are two organization that were dear to his heart Tuskegee Airmen Association, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which he supported both with his membership. He also supported all the charities that his wife gave to and there were many.
In addition, John and Lela traveled throughout the world until traveling became difficult for him. Although he did not travel, he encouraged his wife to travel which she did until her death.
After the death of his beloved wife Lela, he moved to Manchester, NJ, where he lived with his daughter until he was called to eternal rest.
John Harvey leaves to mourn him: daughter, Rev. Ruth D Harvey, of Manchester, NJ, son John T Harvey, III Esq. of Washington DC, and Harold Woodson of Flint, MI; grandchildren, Danielle Gant, Justin (Alaina) Harvey, Jontel L Harvey, Atiya J Harvey, John T Harvey IV, great granddaughter Anaiah G Harvey; sisters, Jean Pope and Inez Harvey, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews and preceded in nieces, nephews, and other family members.
John is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ida M Newson, brothers Leo, Charles, and D. R. Harvey, and beloved wife Lela. |
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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2/1/2021 |
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1:00 PM |
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| Funeral Service |
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2/2/2021 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Great Lakes National Cemetary
4200 Belford Rd.
Holly, MI 48442Get a Map to this location...
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