RUSSELLVILLE — Harvey L. Young Sr.,
age 95, retired Russellville Superintendent of Schools and local civic leader, departed this life Friday, January 7, 2022, at Russellville Nursing Center. He was born February 12, 1926, in Winnfield, La., to John A. and Ida Mae Young, and grew up in Norphlet, Ark.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Mr. Young received a BA degree in history from the University of Arkansas and an MA in history from Vanderbilt Peabody University of Massachusetts. In 1973, he was selected for an educational tour of the Soviet Union sponsored by Columbia University.
He began his teaching career at Sylvan Hills School in Pulaski County where he taught social studies and coached Junior High basketball. After seven years as a teacher, he organized and was the first principal of Sylvan Hills High School.
Other supervisory and administrative positions included Supervisor of Instruction in the Arkansas State Department of Education, Assistant Superintendent, Irving, Texas, Schools, Assistant Superintendent, El Dorado, and Superintendent of Schools, Russellville. He also taught extension classes at the Little Rock Air Force Base. He ended his career as adjunct history professor at Arkansas Tech University.
Harvey was involved in the development of several statewide educational programs. He was one of the founders of the Arkansas Council on Economic Education, and Mr. Young was on the committee which founded the Arkansas Association of Education Administrators. He developed the idea of a series of educational coops. As a result of lobbying efforts with the state legislature, twelve Arkansas Educational Service Cooperatives were organized. He was also the author of his autobiography when it was written at the age of 92.
He served as president of the Arkansas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Treasurer of Arkansas PTA, state health chairman of the Arkansas Retired Teachers, Kappa Delta Pi, board member of the Arkansas Vocational and Technical council and member of the Arkansas Public Employee Insurance Board.
He served as President of numerous civic boards including Pulaski County Library Board, Pulaski County Historic Society, Russellville Chamber of Commerce, Pope County Library, and the Arkansas Public Library Trustee association.
Other organizations include board member of Wesley Foundation Age to Age, Counseling Associates, Shelter of Sunshine, and ARVAC. He was Boys State chairman of the local American Legion post, founder, and President of the local Salvation Army post, and founder and first Chairman of the Arkansas Senior Sports Association.
He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Kappa Alpha social fraternity, Southern Historical Society, and the Russellville First United Methodist Church.
Awards and citations include Administrator of the Year, Arkansas State PTA, Americanism award, Valley Forge Freedom Foundation, Kiwanian of the Year, and Arkansas American Legion Americanism award.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; three sons, Dr. John “Mike” Young, Charles “Bubba” Young, and David Young of Russellville. Also, a sister, Bobbie Brent of Waco, Texas.
He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Harvey Young Jr. and Amy M. Young of Little Rock; four grandsons; one great-granddaughter; two great-grandsons; and two sisters, Margie Gibson of St. Augustine, Fla., and Jannis Echols of El Dorado, Ark.
A private service for the family will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the Shinn Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Tony Griffin officiating. Private burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Garden in El Dorado, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
An open viewing will be held for friends on Monday, January 10, 2022, from 1-4 p.m., at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Ln. Russellville, Ark. 72801, the David M. Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1210 Wolfe St. Little Rock, Ark. 72202, or your favorite charity. Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.