Harvey A. Franz Jr.

Published 12:06 am Thursday, March 7, 2013

Feb. 6, 1922 – Feb. 26, 2013

Mr. Harvey Arthur Franz Jr., 91, a resident of River  Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Washington, NC, died Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Oakdale Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. A. Donald Wiesner. A celebration of life will follow at the home of Richard and Judy Young, 142 East Main Street, Washington, NC.
Harvey was born in Wharton, Texas. He was the son of the late Harvey Arthur Franz Sr., and Bertha Sauerbrei Franz. He graduated from Boling High School and attended Texas A&M University. He left for overseas duty during WWII in the Pacific and served our country as a proud Marine. He returned from the war and married Marilyn Margaret Henry  Septemer 27, 1945. He worked with Texas Gulf Sulphur Company in Newgulf, Texas as an accountant. Harvey and Marilyn had three children, Gaelynn, Thomas and Judith. Mr. Franz was transferred to the Phosphate division of Texas Gulf (now PotashCorp) in Aurora, NC in 1964 as Chief Accountant. He worked with the company 36 years, from August 13, 1946 until June 1, 1982, when he retired. He then decided to pursue another career in real estate and worked part time with Gurganus Builders.
Marilyn and Harvey were members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington, NC. Harvey was often found on the golf course and enjoyed his friends of the “Seafood Open” golf dinners each year. In April 1994, Marilyn passed away. Harvey married Mary Glenn, a former college dorm-mate of Marilyn’s from Houston, Texas on May 27, 1995. Harvey and Mary volunteered at the local Methodist hospital and were active in their church at St.  Philips Methodist. They lived in Texas until Mary’s death October 20, 2011. His stepson, Bill Walterman and wife Judy, took good care of Harvey while he lived in Clarewood House assisted living home in Houston. In February 2012, Gaelynn and Tommy moved Harvey back to Washington, North Carolina where he resided at River Trace until his death. Gaelynn, Tommy and Judy visited him often, taking him for outings and special family occasions. One of his favorites was ordering chocolate ice cream and parking along the waterfront to enjoy it. Richard Young would visit him almost every day for lunch. He often would take him a rose from the Rodman rose garden and ask him the infamous question, “How ya runnin’ Harv?” And, Harv would answer, “Oh … about 100.”
Mr. Franz is survived by Gaelynn Adkins and her husband, Tommy of Morehead City, NC, Thomas Franz and wife, the late Neil Nicholls, of Bath, NC, and Judith Young and her husband, Richard, of Washington, NC; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harvey Franz memory to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (online: woundedwarriorproject.org) or the charity of one’s choice.
Biggs Funeral Home, Williamston, is serving the Franz family.