Harvey Leonard Davidson, 81, Hays, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at HaysMed after a short illness.
He was born November 5, 1940, in Columbus, Kansas, the son of Jake and Opal (Noel) Davidson. He grew up on a dairy farm in southeast Kansas. He graduated from McCune High School and McPherson College with a BS Degree in Industrial Arts. Harvey started his teaching career in Wellington, Kansas where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Stanton. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1964, in Dodge City, Kansas and celebrated 57 years of marriage. They taught in Wellington for five years where he was an industrial arts instructor and later a junior high school counselor.
In 1968, he was hired by the Hays USD 489 School District as Director of Guidance and a full-time counselor for Hays High School. He received a Masters of Guidance and Counseling Degree from Wichita State University and an Educational Specialist in Guidance and Counseling Degree from Fort Hays State University. Harvey started the Hays evening GED classes in 1976 through 1992 and assisted a number of adults in earning a high school equivalency diploma. The Counselor’s Association named Harvey the Kansas Outstanding Counselor of the year in 1978. He was honored by Who’s Who Among School District Leaders in 1976 and most years through 2007.
Harvey was active in the Hays Optimist Club, holding many offices, FHSU Tiger Club, Hays First United Methodist Church, where he was a Stephen Minister, a District 8 Head of the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame in Dodge City, and on the board of Farmers Credit Union. He enjoyed attending sporting events and was an avid bowler. Family was very important to Harvey, and he was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
Harvey is survived by his wife Marilyn Davidson of Hays, sons: Dr. Eric Davidson (Erica) and children: Claire, Corinne, Charlotte, and Calvin of Pittsburgh, PA and Warren Davidson (Lori) and children: Matthew and Tyler of Hays, two sisters: Donna Schmidt of Alamo, TX and Betsy Holland of Pittsburg and three brothers: Kenny Davidson (Dorothy) of McPherson, Carl Davidson (Diane) and Tim Davidson (Nicky) all of McCune, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Ruth Clark and brother-in-law Ralph Clark and Doris Crumpacker and brother-in-law Glen Crumpacker.
A celebration of Harvey’s life will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Hays First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time on Thursday at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Hays First United Methodist Church or to the Hays Optimist Club, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Harvey may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com