Ronald Dwight Harvey died peacefully, surrounded by family, in Billings, MT on June 8, 2012 after a two year battle with cancer.

Ron was born in Omaha, Nebraska, July 26, 1927 to Howard A. Harvey and the former Vera F. Bovee. When Ron was a young child, the family moved from Omaha to Greybull, Wyoming, and then to Casper, WY. During WWII, his father moved the family to San Diego to work at Consolidated Aircraft Company where Ron inspected parts for air crafts being built for WWII. Ron graduated from high school in San Diego in 1944, and in 1946 he joined the Navy and was stationed on Roi-Namur Island during Operation Crossroads. After being discharged from active duty in the Navy in 1947, Ron served in the Navy Reserves for 5 years. In 1953 Ron graduated from the University of Wyoming on the GI Bill with a B.S. in Agriculture. While at the University he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he served as president for one year. He also met his future wife, Joanne Ball, while at the University, and they married in 1955 in Sheridan, WY. Upon graduation from the University, Ron went to work for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, where he worked for 13 years.

In 1967, Ron and Joanne moved to Lander, WY where Ron owned and managed a farm and ranch real estate office for 15 years. After retiring from real estate Ron spent many years as a gentleman’s farmer, raising hay and horses on a small farm north of Lander.

In 1992 when his wife retired from teaching, they left Lander and moved to Vermont to be near their grandchildren. Ron and Joanne worked together as tollhouse managers for the Carthusian Foundation, a sect of Catholic monks who operate a monastery on Equinox Mountain in Sunderland, VT. After five years at the monastery, he and his wife opened two Curves for Women franchises in Adams, and North Adams, Massachusetts, which they operated for about five years.

In October of 2010 Ron was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, and in March of 2011Ron and his wife moved back to Wyoming, where they lived with their daughter in Story so Ron could receive treatment for his cancer in Billings, MT. During his last year in Wyoming, Ron was able to enjoy the beautiful country and wildlife that he grew up in and loved so much throughout his life. He was also able to reconnect with many friends and family members he hadn’t see for the last 20 years.

Ronald D. Harvey is preceded in death by his father Howard A. Harvey and his step-mother Lois F. Harvey of Jackson, WY; his mother Vera Hannon, his step-father Kenneth Hannon, and his sister Frances Phipps of Weiser, ID.

He is survived by his wife Joanne Harvey and daughter Susan Grant of Story, WY; son Daniel Harvey and his wife Maureen Harvey of Arlington, VT; brother Duane Harvey of Lovell, WY; and sister Lois Larsen of Nampa, ID.
Ron’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, eldest to youngest, include: granddaughter Kelly Licata; grandson Andrew M. Grant and his wife Lisa, their son Jonathan D. Grant and daughter Kaylee Jo Grant; granddaughter Jennifer Licata and her daughter, Ava M.C. Licata; granddaughter Allison Fleming and her husband Jason, their sons Joshua T. Harvey, and Sean P. Fleming, and their daughter Madelyn E. Fleming; grandson Jonathan P. Grant; grandson Bryan Licata; grandson Chad Harvey and his wife Meghan, their sons Jacob M. Harvey and Thomas A. Harvey; grandson Joshua D. Harvey; and granddaughter Stephanie J. Harvey. Ron is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.

Throughout his life Ron enjoyed many interests and activities including hunting, fishing, his horses, clogging, gardening, and spending time with his family. He was a life member of the American Legion and he was an active member in his community churches, wherever he lived.

Funeral service will be 10:00am on Monday (June 18th) from Grace Chapel Church, Story, WY with Pastor Bill Dill officiating. Interment will be in Quiet Rest Cemetery, Story with military rites by the American Legion and the Wyo. National Guard. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit Sheridan College for Medical Research.

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