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We Will Miss You Harvey

Harvey Wester Conner

Harvey Wester Conner made a difference in many lives and was loved by many, many people. He also had the gift of music – playing, singing, listening, and talking about it. He was a dedicated, lifelong Southern Baptist and a faithful member of the McKenzie Road Baptist Church in Olympia, Washington. His death on June 4, 2012 did not dampen the love that has always surrounded Harvey – instead, it has blossomed like a flower!

Harvey was born in Marianna, Florida on June 8, 1960 to Wyolene Wester Conner and David Judson Conner, Sr. His ancestral home is Grand Ridge, Florida, where he will be interred in the Carpenter Cemetery with many members of his family, including his mother, his brother David Jr., his grandmother Stella Strickland Wester, and his grandfather Harvey Wester. He is survived by his sister Connee Ann Bush and his niece Lora Nicole Boehlke, both of San Jose, California. He is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins in Florida and North Carolina.

Harvey grew up in Wilmington, Illinois and Childersburg, Alabama. In his adulthood, Harvey lived in Beverly Massachusetts, Tallahassee Florida, Stockton California, and Olympia Washington. He has belonged to the Fellowship Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Trinity Baptist Church in Stockton, and McKenzie Road Baptist Church in Olympia, where he was an active member at the time of his demise. During the last year, Harvey was a volunteer at the Olympia Food Co-op and the Thurston County Food Bank. Harvey had just learned he had gotten a job in the Home & Garden department at the Olympia Home Depot.

Harvey’s lifelong love of music was evident by the age of five, when he began playing the piano by ear. In his early teens, he began collecting 45 RPM records featuring 50s and 60s pop artists. By the time he graduated from Walker Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree, he had studied music theory, music history, church music, choral, ensemble, band, and more. Harvey’s collection of 45s now numbers in the thousands. Harvey knew EVERYTHING about every one of those records! Harvey broke into song in virtually any setting including church, work, family gatherings, and Karaoke clubs. He always raised an eyebrow or two when he’d start, but by the time he got his pipes going, he had his audience in awe with his prodigy.

Harvey also appreciated good food. This no doubt started around the table at his grandmother’s in Grand Ridge. Every Sunday, family and friends from miles around would gather to enjoy a traditional meal that would include scores of items and last all afternoon, with naps between helpings. Harvey never shied away from variety. It was hard to say that Harvey had a favorite, but (as a surprise to many) he did have two items he would not eat – lima beans and ham! When he would return from out of town trips to visit his sister, aunts and uncles, and friends, he would describe the details of his trip according to each meal he enjoyed – from appetizer through dessert!

Harvey loved people. Everyone who knew Harvey would agree that he could be a handful. Harvey had an amazing vocabulary, the gift of gab, and a memory that kept everyone honest! Even under the most trying circumstances, Harvey never had a mean thing to say to anyone. He was quick to give a compliment and saw the best in everyone. Harvey’s physical absence will leave a void in many, many lives; but to a person, his family, friends and co-workers would all say they were lifted up by his spirit and blessed to have had Harvey in their lives. While Harvey is now with his maker, this part of Harvey will stay with us forever.

Source: Funeral Alternatives, June 5, 2012.