John L Harvey

John (Jack) Harvey, 98, prosperous businessman, badminton champion, community leader, and dearly loved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away early in the morning on December 9, 2021 in Spokane, Washington.  He was born on September 12, 1923 in Spokane to parents Louis and Maude Harvey.  He grew up on Spokane’s South Hill playing tennis at Manito Park, attending Wilson Elementary, Lewis and Clark High School, Washington State College (’4143), V-12 Navy Officers Training and later graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.

                Jack was discharged from the Navy in May of 1946 and in 1948 launched his own business, the John L. Harvey Company.   His company served as a manufacturing representative for heating and air conditioning equipment and services.   After successfully growing the company over the next four decades, in 1988 he sold his thriving business to his son, Marc Harvey.

                Jack was devoted to his family.  He and his wife, Beverly (Cipra), had four children.  Later in life (1968) he married Marion (Nixon), a surgical nurse and nursing instructor, who shared his love of family, badminton and community service.  Jack and Marion especially enjoyed family time together at their cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene.  

                Throughout his life, Jack was always kind, generous, and helpful!  He loved supporting the community. He participated or served in various leadership roles for a long list of groups that were dear to his heart, like the Boy Scouts and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Helping others was very important to him. In his later years, he loved being an Elf in the Rockwood Woodshop!  Each year, they would make wooden toys to be delivered to children in Spokane.  

                Jack’s love of badminton spanned seven decades beginning and ending in Cleveland, Ohio.  At age 17, he earned his first Spokane City Single and Doubles championship titles in 1941 and 1942. After a tour of duty in World War II aboard the USS Juneau II, Jack returned to Spokane and reclaimed the City Title for another 17 consecutive years.  Beginning in the early 1950s, Jack started competing in men’s singles and doubles, both nationally and internationally.  Later that decade, he and his partner ranked fifth in the USA men’s doubles.   At age 59, Jack moved to the masters and seniors-level championships. 

Among others, he secured the top title in the U.S. Senior Olympics, Canadian Masters Badminton Championship, World Senior Masters and Huntsman World Senior Games.  Jack concluded his badminton career in 2013 at the age of 90 with 179 gold medals.  Near the end of his career, Jack was inducted into the Inland Empire Scroll of Honor and the U.S. Badminton Senior Hall of  Fame.       Jack and Marion loved playing badminton doubles together.  Many days found Jack enjoying Sudoku, jigsaw or a word puzzle.  He was always happiest when friends and family were gathered with him.  We will always remember his generous spirit, his easy presence and humor, and his unending love  for his family and friends.  

                He was predeceased by his wife, Marion, his daughter, Melinda, his brother Robert (Bob) Harvey and his sister Mary Elizabeth Gardner (Harvey).  He is survived by his three children,  John Harvey (Marilyn), Marc Harvey and Melissa Danelo (Paul).  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Melanie Person, Charmaine Lightheart, Brent Harvey, Jeremy Harvey, Danielle Harvey, Matthew Danelo, Jamie Danelo and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Spokane Badminton Club (SBC), a 501(c)(3) organization.  When making your donation, please reference his name and mail to SBC, 2131 W Shannon, Spokane, WA 99205.  This Club has been chosen because Jack was both a fierce competitor on the court and a dedicated champion of badminton.  Gifts will be used for the training and development of the next generation of Spokane’s badminton players.   

Please visit Jack’s tribute and leave a condolence message at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on February 5, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the Rockwood South Hill Summit located at 2850 E. Rockhurst Lane, Spokane, WA 99223.

Due to Covid restrictions our celebration of Jack's life will NOT be able to take place February 5th.

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