Donnie Harold Harvey, age 78, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, May 18, 2024. He was born June 20, 1945, at home in Palacios to Frances and Freeman Harvey. Donnie was a 1965 graduate of Palacios High School. He married Mary Jo Vavra on November 5, 1966.

Donnie's career as a welder began as a young boy as he followed in the footsteps of his father and brothers, Gaylon and Larry.  After high school and a stint working construction, he and his twin brother, Lonnie, returned home in 1981 to take over the family business, Harvey Welding Service, where he worked until retirement in 2007. Most recently, Donnie was reminiscing about how proud he was of his nephews who have continued the family business for 79 years. Donnie enjoyed mowing his homestead at the Tres Palacios River, barbequing, and telling stories with family and friends at the river on Sunday afternoons.

Donnie is survived by his wife of 57 Years, Mary Jo (Vavra) Harvey and his children Donna Schulman (Alan) of Palacios, Karen Taylor (Bobby) of Alvin, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Harvey (Cassie) of Lafayette, LA, and David Harvey (Melissa) of Marietta, GA. Donnie was proud of his grandchildren Karleigh Schnure (Will), Sam Schulman, Rachel Taylor, Second Lieutenant Daniel Taylor, Audrey Taylor, Jake Harvey, Tate Harvey and Chandler Powell. Six months ago, he was so happy to meet and love on his first great-grandchild, Reece Johanna Schnure. He is also survived by his brothers, Gaylon Harvey and Larry Harvey, his sister-in-law Wanda Johnson (Al) and brother- in-law Leo Neuszer along with many nieces and nephews.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Lonnie, sister Nalona Neuszer, and sisters-in-law Rosemary Harvey and Dorette Harvey.

Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Palacios Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00pm at Trinity Baptist Church in Palacios. Please join the family for lunch at the Palacios Recreation Center prior to the funeral from 11:30am to 1:30pm.  Following the funeral, graveside services will be at Ashby Cemetery in El Maton, Texas.

Pallbearers are his nephews: Phil Neuszer, Tim Harvey, Toby Harvey, Tyson Harvey, Chris Harvey, Kevin Harvey, Bryan Vavra, Johnathan Vavra, Matthew Baird, Justin Schweizer, and Tyler Schweizer. Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons Sam Schulman, Second Lieutenant Daniel Taylor, Jake Harvey, Tate Harvey, and Chandler Powell.

The family would like to thank Angel's Home Health and Angel's Hospice and especially nurse, Jessica Biffle, for taking such good care of our dad, PawPaw and Great-PawPaw. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Trinity Baptist Church in Palacios or the Ashby Cemetery Association to the attention of : Ray Rusk, 17533 Sundancer Ln, Jonestown, TX 78645.