Michael Harvey
Michael Harvey, a retired Tennessee Highway Patrol Officer, transitioned from his earthly life on March 2, 2024, at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was 73 years old and was the epitome of a life well lived.
Michael was born on June 21, 1950, in Gordonsville, Tn. to the parentage of Rev. Jesse Robert Harvey Sr. and Mary Willie Reasonover Harvey. He attended elementary and middle school in Gordonsville, Tn. and Shelbyville, Tn., followed by High School in Shelbyville. Micheal was an outstanding athlete excelling in football and track and field. He graduated from Shelbyville Central in 1968 and continued to pursue his athletic career.
After graduation, he attended Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville, for a short time before being drafted to the United States Army where he served in Vietnam. During his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Marksman Badge. In 1971 he was honorably discharged and upon returning from the war, married his best friend, Estella Marie Peacock. Shortly thereafter, he was selected to attend the police academy for the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). Following completion of the program, he was assigned to the Chattanooga district where he and Estella moved and planted their roots. After serving 33 years, he retired as Sergeant from the THP in 2004. He received numerous certifications and awards including completion of coursework at Northwestern University’s Police Staff and Command School, and the Exchange Club’s “Officer of the Year” award for his above-and-beyond heroic effort. He continued his education at McKenzie College earning a degree in Business. A brief period after retirement from the State of Tennessee (or THP), he worked for four years in
the Hamilton County School System helping address truancy issues in elementary schools.
Michael was a faithful and dedicated active member of Stanley United Methodist Church. He was a lover of gospel music and enjoyed singing in the church choir. He served diligently as chairman of trustees on the church council for many years as well as President of the United Methodist Men.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Jesse and Mary Harvey, and siblings Connie Harvey, Don Harvey, Joe King Harvey, Mary Harvey, Jessie Majors, Patricia Buchanan, Lynn Frazier, and Teresa Singleton.
Celebrating and cherishing his life are his beloved wife of 52 years, Estella Harvey, children Colonel Brian (Andrea) Harvey of Okinawa, Japan, Christopher (Shawni) Harvey of Ashburn, VA, and Michelle (James) Lee of Forest, VA, grandchildren Arlandis (Bridget) Harvey, Brian Michael Harvey II , Gavin Harvey, Mathew (Federica) Harvey, Bryson Harvey, Jaren Lee, and Maya Lee, sisters Evelyn Cleveland, Ann Buchanan, brothers Jesse (Faye) Harvey, Ronald (Grace) Harvey, Ricky (Freda) Harvey, and brother-in-law, John Singleton, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, his church family, and many friends.
Michael will be cherished and remembered for many things including little league baseball and football coach, performer of tricks including the jackknife, front and back flip on a trampoline or off a diving board, formidable tennis opponent, elementary school mayor, church fixer-upper, security officer and detective, taster of anything on a Chinese food buffet, blackberry picker, expert housecleaner/super sanitizer, fisherman, whistler, singer, best sweet tea, mashed potato and fried chicken maker, jokester, master storyteller, and of course dad and granddad to all. He was the poster child of "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" especially when it came to that Chinese food buffet.
Michael also developed a love for walking along the waterfront and collecting driftwood. He would see the beauty in each old dirty piece, pick it up, take it home, wash it, sand the rough edges, and add a thick strong shiny coat of polyurethane to protect it from anything. He treated each piece of driftwood just as God treats us. Seeing each not for what it was when it was found, but for what he knew it could be. Michael’s commitment to service and his faith in God led him to befriend everyone he met, sharing the love of Jesus Christ. He truly wanted everyone to feel loved and would literally share the shirt off his back or the last $5 in his pocket to anyone in need.
May his spirit live on through each of us as we laugh with one another, hug one another, tell stories, and serve God by freely giving to others.
Public viewing will be held from 12-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, at Stanley United Methodist Church, 501 Dodson Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m.
The interment will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. The procession to the cemetery will depart from John P. Franklin Funeral Home at 11:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Chattanooga Food Bank, The Chattanooga Community Kitchen, or Salvation Army or any person you meet that is in need.
The family requests that funeral attendees wear a splash of red, which was one of his favorite colors.