Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Randall Jay Harvey, 63, of Hulett, Wyoming, took his eternal ride on December 26, 2023. He passed unexpectedly and peacefully at his home. He was known to most as Harv.
Harv was born to Ralph and Dorothy (Bebensee) Harvey on March 21, 1960, in Brookings, South Dakota. His childhood was spent thinking up adventures on a farm just west of Aurora, South Dakota.
At the age of 18, he began his life's adventure when he left Brookings and moved to Lead, South Dakota where he worked at the Homestake Mine. From there he continued to New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming and back to South Dakota.
During those travels, he worked on rigs and was a roustabout in the oil fields. Later in his life, he worked in road construction as a heavy equipment operator until a motorcycle accident in 2013 left him unable to work.
In 1982, Harv met his future wife and best friend, Lori McRann (Mabel). They were married on July 23, 1988, in a small backyard ceremony in Hulett. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kelci Jean in 1986 and Kasia Marie in 1989.
The family resided in Hulett. Harv and Mabel divorced in 2019 but remained roommates until the time of his death.
Everyone that knows Harv will remember his love for his Harley. He loved working on motorcycles, talking about motorcycles, looking at motorcycles and riding motorcycles. He could pretty much fix anything, especially a Harley.
Harv also loved gardening, hunting, snowmobiling and being with friends and family. He took great pride in everything he did and was always there to help anyone in need.
The love he had for his daughters and grandchildren surpassed everything else. Harv was incredibly proud of the women his daughters had become and the families they were raising. They all just spent the Christmas holiday together, forming many cherished memories.
Though a lot of people grow apart from their cousins, Harv remained close to the many cousins he grew up with in his childhood. When they would occasionally get together in adulthood, the years would melt away and it was a roaring good time.
He also remained close to his friends. They called themselves the Goons, and he thought of their children as his.
Harv left many behind to mourn his passing: his two daughters, Kelci Jean MacLachlan (Cameron) of Billings, Montana and Kasia Marie Opp (Cody) of Billings; his six grandchildren, Maddox, Ryker, Garick, Piper, Huxley and Morgan; the mother of his children, Lori Harvey of Hulett; his mother, Dorothy Harvey of Brookings; his siblings, Doug (Mariah) Harvey, Mick (Tandy) Harvey and Linda (Randy) Nelson.
He had a special bond with his many cousins and friends, especially Duk, Wendell, Crash, LRon, Tick, Keller, Irene Boys, Board, Skipper, Tiff, Bud Hoover and so many more. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Harvey.
Ride safe Harv!
At this time there will not be a funeral, however we will celebrate Harv's life this spring or summer.
If you'd like to send cards, please do so with your favorite memory of Harv to: Kelci MacLachlan, 3018 Placer Dr., Billings, MT 59102.
Cremation arrangements were under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance, WY and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com