Biography

Harvey Taylor Priest, age 88, of Neosho, MO, passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, July 29, 2010, about 1:30 a.m. at Freeman Neosho Hospital. Harvey was born Nov. 13, 1921 in Georgetown, Ill to Lillie (Boen) Priest and George Priest, Jr.
He had two sisters and a brother who preceded him in death. Dorothy Lou, who died May 5, 1928 and Eunice, who died in January 1969, and Harold Ray, who died March 6, 2008.
Harvey had to grow up fast. His father died when he was only 13 and Harvey had to drop out of school and go to work to support the family. He dug ditches and poured concrete.
At age 19, he married the love of his life, Doris June Brenton, August 30, 1941. Two years later, he joined the Navy where he would serve on two Destroyer ships. During WWII he served on the USS F.E. Evans and in the Korean War on the USS Van Valkenburgh as boiler tender second class. He was honorably discharged from WWII in 1946 and from the Korean War in 1954.
He lived most of his married life in Danville, IL. He retired in Orlando, FL and moved in 1999 to be with family in Neosho, MO.
His only child Marilyn Joyce was born May 1942. After the wars, he took a job as a truck driver for the Sears and Roebuck Company where he worked until retirement.
Harvey is survived by his wife, Doris; his daughter, Marilyn (Priest) Meadows; his grandchildren, Deanna (Meadows) Weniger and Chris Meadows; and his great-grandchildren, Emma Meadows and Duncan, Mackenzie and Lauren Weniger.
The funeral will be at Clark Chapel of Memories in Neosho; Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services with full military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, south of Neosho. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 8 am - 5 pm
Harvey loved his family, his country, God, and the freedom of the road. He will be greatly missed.

Chapel Service

Tuesday August 3, 2010, 1:00 pm at Clark Chapel of Memories
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Officiating the service will be Dr. Jerry Seigel.

Interment

Tuesday August 3, 2010 at Neosho Memorial Park
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Full Military Service will be conducted at the graveside.

Viewing

Monday August 2, 2010, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm at Clark Chapel of Memories
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