Harvey Eugene Miller's Obituary
Harvey Miller Obituary
A celebration of Harvey Eugene Miller’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2021 in the RiverCrest Chapel & Event Center, 13329 S. Memorial Dr., Bixby, OK 74008. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the following link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/54689
Born November 6, 1928, in Jasonville, Indiana, Harvey was the fourth child, and the last baby born to Harvey Otto and Myrta (Bledsoe) Miller. Harvey or “Harpo”, as some would call him, was also welcomed by his older siblings: Winifred, Herschel, and Doris. The Miller family would move from Jasonville to South Bend, Indiana when Harvey was young. It was in South Bend where he would grow up and receive his education. Harvey was always proud that, while in South Bend, he tried out for the boys’ basketball team under the coaching of John Wooden who went on to be a successful NCAA coach. (Disclaimer – Harvey was a mere 5’7” at the time and did not make the team.)
An interesting fact about Harvey is that he trained to be a pilot, without his mother’s knowledge, and received his pilot’s license before he was even old enough to drive a car. It seemed Harvey always had a fondness for airplanes. This could be seen, throughout his life, as he put together model airplanes and as he flew remote controlled planes any chance that he had. Following his freshman year in college, Harvey joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served overseas toward the end of WWII. It was during this time that Harvey grew from 5’7” to 6’4” and was unrecognized by his family upon his return home. It was as he received his honorable discharge, that Harvey attended Purdue receiving his bachelor’s in Aeronautic Engineering. He would then have a long career as an Engineer in the Automotive industry.
Harvey met Joan E. Smith, now deceased, while in college and they had five children, Maureen, Kevin, Dawn, Lee Ann, and David. It was while raising his family, in Logansport, Indiana, that Harvey worked for General Tire and was credited with 12 different patents improving the company’s safety and productivity. Harvey would complete his master’s in Automotive Engineering through the Chrysler Institute. He would enjoy work in the automotive industry, in Michigan, until the early 1980’s when the automotive industry took a hit.
By this time, Harvey had married Barbara Banta and the couple decided to move to southern Arkansas. A man and woman of faith, they were heavily involved in their church and there came a time when Harvey felt a call to attend Rhema. The Lord helped to make that happen as both Harvey and Barbara accepted teaching positions with Victory Christian School and the way was paved for Harvey to attend Rhema. Since 1982, Harvey focused heavily on education and he thoroughly enjoyed his time as professor at both Rogers State College and Oral Roberts University where he taught engineering.
When he was not flying, working, spending time with his family, attending church, or teaching, Harvey enjoyed playing golf! Described as a good, hard-working man, Harvey was faithful, intelligent and quiet. There may be no better compliment than his family saying that what Harvey taught was not with his words – it was what he demonstrated as he lived out his life! Harvey will certainly be missed by those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by: his loving wife of 47 years, Barbara Miller; his children: daughter, Maureen Miller and husband, Mark andtheir children: Jonathan, wife Ariel and children: Jack and Lucas and Sean, wife Amanda and children: C.J., Merritt and Marigold; son, Kevin Miller and children: Ryan, wife Tabitha and Rhett and children: Wyatt and Emmitt; daughter, Dawn (Miller) Braun and her daughter, Maureen and husband Victor; daughter, Lee Ann Ward and husband, Kelly and their children: Leslie, K.T., Michelle and Tucker; son, David Miller and his son, Aaron and wife Megan. Harvey had a total of 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his siblings: Wini Hamel, Herschel Miller and Dori Steele and his son, Kevin Miller.
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