A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF DR. JAMES EDWARD "JIM" HARVEY OF ORANGEBURG AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. James Edward "Jim" Harvey of Orangeburg on February 15, 2026, at the venerable age of nearly eighty-one; and

 

Whereas, born in Lewiston, Maine, Jim Harvey came into this world on February 20, 1945, the son of Dr. John Edward and Alice Wilson Harvey. In 1948, Jim moved with his parents and two sisters, Janet (his twin) and Diane, to Gambier, Ohio, where his father was to begin his career as a professor at Kenyon College. Jim grew up in the idyllic little village of Gambier, where he sold newspapers, rescued pets, and had the run of the campus with his friends. In preparation for his career, the young Jim earned his bachelor's degree from Wilmington College, Ohio; his M.Ed. and his Ed.S. from Kent State University, Ohio; and his Ph.D. from Cleveland State University, Ohio; and

 

Whereas, over the years, he worked in a variety of positions from Peace Corps volunteer to high school biology and chemistry teacher to director of a leprosarium project. Other posts included serving as manager of psychological services for the Cleveland Ohio Metropolitan School District, for which he supervised eighty school psychologists, six interns, and five social workers. Dr. Harvey also had a private practice and was a part-time instructor at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio; and

 

Whereas, for his dedicated labors in many professional and community service organizations, Jim received numerous awards, including the Ohio Council for Exceptional Children President's Award for Leadership and Wilmington College Alumni Citation for Distinguished Service to Education; and

 

Whereas, when Dr. Harvey moved to Orangeburg with his wife, Ruth, in 2010, his service to others continued. He volunteered at Whittaker Elementary School, he and his wife delivered Meals on Wheels, and he became a member of the Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center Board of Directors, as well as a board member of the Orangeburg County Community of Character. Ever the psychologist, Jim affiliated himself with the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists (SCASP). As a result of his work with SCASP he received an Outstanding Advocate Award from the National Association of School Psychologists; and

 

Whereas, additionally, Jim played a crucial role as a member of the Joint Legislative Task Force on School Safety, working with State Representative Jerry Govan. In 2015, the Task Force made sixty recommendations, many of which are now in effect, including full staffing of school resource offices, mental health counselors, and school safety teams; and

 

Whereas, a life member of the NAACP, Jim was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Orangeburg. He served his church as an elder and worked with committee members to carry out clothing drives for Rivelon Elementary School students through the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery's Hands of Christ Program. He coordinated a tutoring program for Rivelon, as well. Yet he still had time to play tennis, a game he loved, and his teams won tournaments all over the State. He also played regularly for fun and exercise; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Harvey leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of thirty-nine years, Ruth Owens Butts Harvey; two sons, Justin Edward Harvey (Theresa) of Cleveland, Ohio, and David Christopher Butts of Lexington, Kentucky; two grandchildren, James Harvey and Alexandria Harvey of Cleveland, Ohio; and a host of other family members, colleagues, and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Dr. James Edward "Jim" Harvey of Orangeburg and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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