David Rawls Harvey, 68, of Raymond, Mississippi, died on June 24, 2019, at home surrounded by friends and family, including Gloria Harvey, his wife of 28 years.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi on September 11, 1950, he was the beloved son of Martha Harvey and the late Donald Harvey. David graduated from Forest Hill High School in 1968.

After high school, David joined the Air Force and served in the Pararescue Special Forces from 1970-1974. He graduated from PJ class 72-01. His first duty station was Hickam AFB, Hawaii where he worked to support the NASA Skylab Mission. Subsequently PCS to Fairchild AFB, Washington at the Survival School 3636th Combat Crew Training Group. During his time as a Pararescueman, David tested himself both physically and mentally.

After leaving the service, David settled in Spokane, WA where he launched his 35-year career in construction. In 1987, he returned to Jackson in an unconventional fashion. He made the five-week journey by bicycle, sleeping in a tent in national parks, evading bears, and adding to his ever-growing volume of tall tales. A rebel at heart, David was always up for a new and challenging adventure.

He was an active member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, where he was instrumental in the church's "His Heart" ministries. David loved anything pertaining to the outdoors, working with his hands, and even blacksmithing, a hobby he enjoyed in recent years.

David is survived by his mother Martha Harvey, wife Gloria Harvey, blood brother Charley Berryhill, daughters Melissa Harvey, Jennifer Rogers (Chris) and Alice Shonewitz (Jeff), 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and his best furry friend Chaco. He is also survived by many much-loved cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family and a multitude of friends he's met along his life's journey.

Family and friends will miss David's fearlessness, rebelliousness, intelligence, story-telling, determination, and devotion to what mattered most to him. David had an uncanny ability to mechanically process and problem solve any "how to" situations. His PJ friends hold him in high regard as a warrior PJ, who now joins the squadron of PJ Rescue Angels who have made their final jump.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 26, 4:30-7:00 pm at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton. The funeral service will be Thursday, June 27 at 10:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson with a graveside service directly following at Lakewood Cemetery in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to His Heart, 1300 West Capitol Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39203.