Devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather James Daniel Harvey passed away peacefully at his home on May 08, 2023, surrounded by family.

Jim was the son of Leo and Arvilla Harvey. He was born September 02, 1934, in the family home. Leo and Arvilla already had four sons, Richard, Gene, JH and Ken. Arvilla was convinced this baby was going to be a girl because her pregnancy had been so different from her previous ones. Much to everyone’s surprise, because Arvilla was rarely wrong about anything, the anticipated baby girl turned out to be twin boys - Jim and Dave.

Jim grew up in Pleasant Grove and attended Pleasant Grove schools. He played many team sports, tennis in particular, even competing at the State Championship. He was also senior class president. After graduating, he attended Utah State University before transferring to Brigham Young University where he graduated with multiple majors in Horticulture, Agronomy and Chemistry (he transferred from Utah State to BYU in order to be closer to one Barbara Swenson, his sweetheart).

Jim and Barbara were married on June 24, 1957, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Jim and Barbara dated for exactly two years and were married on the anniversary of their first date. They were married one month shy of 66 years and brought out the very best in one another.

Jim held numerous church callings. He was President of the Elder’s Quorum three times and whenever he wasn’t the President, he was the teacher. When his Bishop called him to be a High Priest, Jim tried to decline but the Bishop kindly explained it was past time to move on up. Jim enjoyed his time in the High Priests immensely but was always an Elder at heart.

Jim and Barbara built a home on the Harvey Family farm in 1962. There they raised four children, Steven (Susan) Harvey, John (Ruth) Harvey, Sara (Jeff) Jensen and Jennie (Chris) Oman. They also raised hay, grain, peas, sugar beets and world-famous Harvey Apples. After living in their original family home for thirty-seven years, they built their dream home in a subdivision developed from their apple orchard – the very same apple orchard where Jim proposed to Barbara.

Jim loved having a beautiful yard and enjoyed cultivating roses in particular. After his father retired, Jim’s parents came out to the farm every Saturday night and would stop by to visit. Every week, when the roses were in bloom, Jim would cut the prettiest bud and give it to his mother. Jim often gifted a rose bush to Barbara for their anniversary. This past summer, Barbara had a serious accident and was hospitalized for a week. To welcome her home, Dad picked and arranged an enormous rose bouquet for her and had it waiting in her room. It was his way of showing his love and concern for her.

In addition to farming, Jim had a distinguished career in public service. In 1968 he was employed by the State Department of Agriculture as the Supervisor of Utah’s 43 soil conservation districts. He was the liaison between the Utah Legislature and the State Department of Agriculture. His office was in the State Capitol Building. He was also Utah’s representative to the Four Corner’s Commission.

In the early 1980’s, Jim moved to the State Department of Emergency Management. It was while he was serving in this capacity that Utah experienced the record snowfall of 1983. Jim was instrumental in turning State Street into a river as City Creek could not handle the water flow. Sandbags started at South Temple and lined both sides of State Street all the way to 21st South. From there, water was diverted into the Jordan River. Jim held interviews with the nightly news programs on Channels 2, 4, and 5 and was a mini-celebrity for two weeks.

In 1993, Jim was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Utah State Director of the Farm Home Administration. He served the State of Utah faithfully in this capacity, spearheading the development of rural water and sewer systems, low-income housing, university housing, bridges and rural home and farm loans. He traveled routinely to Washington D.C. and was personally known by the President of the United States. Jim was Director until he retired in 2001.

Throughout his life Jim had been a talented carpenter and woodworker. Upon retirement he honed his talents. His projects were big (outbuildings and sheds), moderate (cedar chests and grandfather clocks) and small (jewelry boxes and mantle clocks). After retirement, Jim took up pottery and became a gifted potter. He also created jewelry and was a talented silversmith. The objects he created and gifted are prized possessions.

Of all Jim’s roles, the one he cherished most and the one he is most cherished for, is that of Grandfather. Richard, Mandee, Zoë, Jace, Katherine, Gabby, William and Jessie were the delight of his life.

Jim is survived by his wife Barbara, his children, Steven, John, Sara and Jennie and his brother Ken.

Preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Arvilla, and by his brothers, Richard, Gene, JH and Dave.