1/7/2021
Ojai valley treasure Phil Harvey, 99 years young, died peacefully of non-covid natural causes on January 5, 2021.
To Phil, life was a joyful journey and he spread that joy with those he came
into contact with. His life began in Emporia, Kansas on May 11, 1921. He
grew up in the Quaker tradition, whose values of peace and meditation
influenced him throughout his life. He attended Friend’s University in Wichita
briefly. His pacifism led him to serve as a Conscientious Objector during World
War II, which brought him to California where he assisted the Civilian
Conservation Corps, and where he fell in love with the mountains and
California. His lifelong interest in exploring various religious and
spiritual philosophies led him to move to Ojai, California in the mid-1940s to
study under Paramahansa Yogananda. He continued to value the studies of
spiritualists at Krotona Theosophical Society in Ojai.
Phil had many passions in life, two of which were singing and acting. His life
changed while performing at the Ojai Art Center. There, he met his
lifelong partner, Margaret Smith who played piano for Art Center activities and
was a Registered Nurse. They married in 1949 at the Ojai Presbyterian
Church and started their lives together in Los Angeles after Phil was awarded a
scholarship for vocal lessons at a LA music conservatory and worked at Roselane
Pottery in Pasadena. In 1951, Jim (Jamie), their first symphony was born,
followed by 2nd and 3rd symphonies, Jeannie (1952) and Babette (1953). Phil
continued to sing and act, performing in the Barber of Seville, Carousel, the
Merry Widow, the King and I, with several different theatrical companies,
including the Burbank Civic Light Opera. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he
worked as a contract actor for Universal Studios and had roles in many films
including A Touch of Evil, Land Unknown, Monolith Monsters, Monster on Campus,
and serial shows such as Gunsmoke. Over the next 15 years, Phil and Margaret raised
their family in Northridge, California. Phil continued his musical pursuits
while also teaching music with Roscoe Music and later at the music studio of
friend Glen Houle.
Phil loved nature and took his family on many outdoor vacations including camping
trips to Yosemite, Sequoia National park, and the beach.
Over the years, Phil developed an interest in photographing the nature he loved
with landscapes and nature scenes a strong focus. In 1980, after all their
children had left home, Phil and Margaret moved back to Ojai where they lived
for the rest of their lives. Phil worked at Dexter’s Camera shop and in
1984 started the Ojai Camera Club, a group that continues to this day as the
Ojai Photography Club. His photographs are part of the permanent collection at
Ojai City Hall and have been exhibited at the Ojai Valley Museum and local
businesses. He produced and sold notecards, postcard booklets and calendars of
his photographs. Many o f his photos were featured in books and publications
about Ojai. He loved giving his postcard booklets and posters to people he met.
When Dexter’s camera shop in Ojai closed, Phil joined the Ojai Presbyterian
Church as Music Director. While there, he directed the adult choir and oversaw
the children’s music program as well as other special musical events sponsored
by the church. Phil founded the Ojai Community Chorus (OCC) in 1987
serving as its director and conductor. The OCC also continues to this
day. After retiring from the church, he continued to be active in the community,
participating in the Ojai Retired Men’s Club, opening each meeting with a song,
often leading the group in sing-alongs. He often sang at Little House and
assisted living centers, and he especially loved leading show tunes and other
songs participants could sing along to. For many years, each Wednesday
during the summer he opened the Ojai Summer Band Concerts in Libby Park with
The Ojai Song an d took much joy in visiting with band members and attendees
and participating in the balloon walk.
In 2010, his beloved Margaret died. Macular degeneration continued to
limit his eyesight, but he kept singing and sharing his enthusiasm for music.
Plus, he remained active in the Camera Club and taking photos. His attitude was
that his limited eyesight gave him a different perspective. For the most part,
he remained in good health and enjoyed chair yoga, working out at the gym, and
often went to Lake Casitas with his beloved friend Sally, to watch the eagles
soar over the lake. Befittingly, his nickname became “Eagle Boy!”
He won many community awards, honors and recognitions including the Grand
Marshall for the Ojai 4th of July parade in 2004, Lifetime Achievement in the
Arts by the City of Ojai 2003, Living Treasure of Ojai.
Phil is survived by son Jim Harvey (Bettie) of Ventura, granddaughter Susan
Harvey of Hawaii, grandson Ted Harvey of Santa Paula, daught er Jeannie Harvey
of Moscow, Idaho, and daughter Babette Harvey (Jim) of Portland, Oregon.
Phil loved life and shared that love with everyone he knew or met. He
would break into song with little encouragement and loved to laugh. He truly
knew how to make lemonade out of lemons. He remained exceedingly curious and
found life miraculous.
HARVEY, Phil
Born: 5/11/1921, Emporia, Kansas, U.S.A.
Died: 1/5/2021, Ojai, California, U.S.A.
Phil Harvey’s westerns – actor:
Wild Heritage – 1958 (Jud)
Tombstone Territory (TV) – 1958
Death Valley Days (TV) – 1959 (Chuck Dawson)
Gunsmoke (TV) – 1959 (Henry)
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