Joe E. Harvick

Joe Earnest Harvick was born in Old Glory, Texas to Carrie Rush Harvick and Willie Clarence Harvick on Monday, March 27, 1928 He passed away at home Monday, April 20, 2015. He was the youngest of eight children. When he was two or three his family moved to Lynn County Texas then to Levelland. They moved to Tahoka where he finished school playing football and basketball all four years in high school.


Joe started to work when he was twelve years old. He hoed cotton, pulled bales, candled eggs, worked at a soda fountain , a movie theatre and a grocery store. As an adult, he worked in the insurance industry as an insurance agent for over 50 years. He spent the last several years volunteering at VISTO, Salvation Army and NTMC. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Gainesville.


He married Billie Burns on June 18, 1950 in Littlefield, Texas. They lived in Tahoka, Texas for 25 years before moving to Cooke County. Joe is survived by his wife Bille; sons and daughter-in-laws, Carlton and Carol of Crowley, Kent and Crystal Harvick of Lake Kiowa, Kevin and Laurie Harvick of Lake Kiowa. Grandchildren; Adam and Bethany Harvick, Holly and Matt Bozarth, Jonathan Harvick, Joseph and Lainey Harvick, Stacy Harvick, Jared Harvick and Kenzie Harvick. Great grand children; Asher Harvick, Avery Harvick, Adalyn Harvick, Alivia Harvick and Samuel Harvick; and several nieces and nephews.


Joe was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, two sisters and several nieces and nephews.


Pall Bearers will be grandsons, and nephews; Gordon Harvick and Robin Harvick. Honorary pallbearers will be the First Baptist Church Men's Sunday School Class.


Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville with the Rev. J.L. Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Nelson Grove Cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.