Dear Friends and Family,
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On this first day of the new year our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of Frank Roughton Harvey. Early this morning he experienced difficulty breathing at our home in Lexington, KY. After being taken to the hospital he passed away at around 8:20 am. We know that he is now free of the pain and suffering that he had experienced in his earthly body most of his life. We rejoice in the knowledge that he is with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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To both mourn Frank’s passing and celebrate his life we are arranging a memorial service on Saturday, January 7th at 11:00 am at the Sandersville First United Methodist Church in Sandersville, GA. At Frank’s request his body is being cremated and some of his ashes will be strewn at the gravesite of his mom and dad in Sandersville.
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Also, at Frank’s request, at a memorial service next summer, most of his ashes will be strewn at the foot of the cross at the Living Word Outdoor Theater in Cambridge, OH which we founded together. He tried to live his life at the foot of the cross and wanted his remains to be left there.
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If you desire to send flowers, the family asks instead you consider a contribution to the Living Word memorial chapel fund in Frank’s name at 6010 College Hill Road, PO Box 1481, Cambridge, Ohio 43725.
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Words can’t adequately express how much we appreciate your love and support over the years. Thank you for your continued prayers during these difficult days.
Frank’s loving wife,
Hazel Roughton Harvey
January 2, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Frank has certainly touched many more lives than he could ever have known, and I count myself among those blessed by his drama testimony. As a young high school theatre teacher in the 70’s, I first saw Frank’s “Sermon on the Mount” in a small church near Harrisonburg, VA. From that moment, I knew that I must also find a way to use my God-given theatrical gifts for the glory of our Lord. Over the years God has given me the opportunity to establish two religious drama groups, one in Broadway, VA and one in Falls Church, VA. In every production, Frank has been my inspiration, my “adopted mentor,” my guiding light to serving Jesus through drama. Thanks to my dear friend, the Reverend Dr. J. Blaine Blubaugh, I had the opportunity a few years ago to meet Frank personally and discuss my writings. I had intended to “pick his brain” for ways to improve my own work. Instead, he shared his soul, and I came away richer. Whether he became Jesus, the Roman soldier, or one of the other of his memorable characters, he was always believable as an actor, faithful as a Christian, and loving as a friend to all those he met. Although I am saddened at the loss to this world, I look forward to the day I can see Frank in the next. I want to thank him again for his example, his service, his life–for the greatest role he ever played: a humble and faithful servant to our Lord Jesus Christ. Surely the angels are giving him a standing ovation!
Ron Smith
January 2, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Our hearts are so saddened with the loss of Frank. Dave & Cherie Metcalf
January 2, 2006 at 7:02 pm
I am filled with a profound sense of guilt and loss. I had written a couple of months ago, received, and then misplaced Frank and Hazel’s phone number. So MANY times I thought of calling to tell each of them how much their lives and friendship have meant to me over the past 35 years. Something always seemed to “come up” and make me put off calling. This happened almost every day since I first heard of Frank’s illness. Fortunately, I wrote at that time to express my concern and gratitude for the incredible examples of being true Christians that Frank and Hazel showed throughout their lives. Frank’s continuing ministry will live on through the lives of the tens of thousands he and Hazel touched. It is a true honor to have known him and loved him like an older brother. I will miss him and his kindnesses for the rest of my life, and look forward to seeing him again at the right hand of our Lord.
January 2, 2006 at 7:29 pm
We share your grief and relief. A free spirit has passed.
We are so blessed that we were privileged to be included in the group at First Methodist on Peachtree St. recently.
I sensed, when I talked with you on the phone, that Frank was near death.
Frank was a real man. Frank was unique. He was a good friend, father, husband, and Christian. We will miss him, but no one will miss him like Hazel.
We plan to see you Saturday in Sandersville. If we can help in any way, please let us know.
O.B. and Susan
January 2, 2006 at 9:05 pm
We have fond memories of Frank’s ministry at Raynes United Methodist Church in Mingo Jct., Ohio. Not only did the Bible come to life through his dramatic presentations, but his personal involvment in our lives and our church while he was there was evident.
June has frequently commented that he was the best house guest we ever had. He was sensitive to our needs as a parsonage couple, and did little chores while we were at work. He taught us how to make planters with the bottoms of plastic soda pop bottles!
More importantly, he advised us in meeting the needs of our congregation. His wisdom was evident. We are ever greatful that Frank was a part of our lives for even a brief time, and we look forward to seeing Him with our Lord.
In deepest sympathy, Chuck & June Leasure
January 2, 2006 at 10:22 pm
I have watched the Frank’s faithful ministry for over a quarter of a century. I have seen him push through incredible pain to proclaim the riches of the Gospel story to hungry hearts. His desire to communicate God’s mercy and love empowered him to overcome indescribable odds that would have beaten down lesser men.
My prayers are with his friends and loved ones as they deal with the grief of his passing and the joy of knowing that he now resides at the side of the Lord He has so valiantly served.
a friend,
Wesley Putnam
January 3, 2006 at 4:05 pm
I first met Frank and Hazel about 15 years ago. I was so amazed at his talent when he performed “Joseph” and then “The Sermon on the Mount” at the worship service. He was incredible and I knew that God was working through him.
He came back to our church in 1993 and performed “The Roman Centurion” and “Judas” and I was amazed and blessed again.
I’ve kept in touch with Frank via email since and he has become one of my best friends. He has always been there whenever I needed to talk to him and he always made me feel better. He has helped to bring so many people to Jesus and that is the greatest thing anyone can do.
I miss him so much, but I know that he is now with Jesus and no longer in any pain. I look forward to the day when I will see him again.
God bless you Frank. You will be missed and we thank you for your wonderful love that you so selflessly gave. You always thought about others and loved them. You are a prime example of what a Christian should be.
It is a comfort to know that you are now with Jesus.
January 4, 2006 at 8:00 am
I feel so saddened by Frank’s death, but knowing the suffering he was going through, it is a relief knowing he is with Jesus and experiencing no more pain – only his reward in heaven.
My daughter Melissa and I visited with Frank and Hazel in November for a weekend and we have never been treated with more love and hospitality. I am so glad we had the oppportunity to spend some time with them and let them know how much they mean to us. Frank helped Melissa with such encouragement and love when she was battling breast cancer almost 2 years ago. He was able to give her more comfort than anyone I know. He will be so missed by us all and I pray God’s blessings on Hazel and his children whom I know he loved so much. May God bless and comfort you all.
March 2, 2006 at 2:21 pm
I was saddened to learn of Frank’s passing but know he has joy in the presence of Jesus. He inspired me to continue a ministry of directing, writing and acting in community productions and one-man evangelistic portrayals. I enjoyed speaking with him backstage and my wife and I will always treasure the Lord revealing to him our infant daughter’s need for healing. She is now preparing to be a missionary. This year’s Last Supper Drama is dedicated to Frank
April 9, 2006 at 6:31 am
A couple of years ago, Frank and Hazel spent most of a week with us at Hilldale United Methodist Church in Clarksville, TN. They ministered to us so much, and we will never forget Frank’s depictions of a number of Biblical characters. The one that sticks with me in particular is Judas. Frank brought out the human characteristics of Judas where most others do not. As I sat down this morning to prepare a Sunday School lesson about Judas, I thought of Frank and was led to look at this site through an Internet search. I had not known of his passing although I knew he was critically ill. I just want to tell his family and friends that there are lots of people here in Clarksville who are a lot closer to God and a lot better equipped to lead others to God because of the ministry of Frank and Hazel Harvey. I believe that all of us that he touched are responsible to carry on his ministry and, in some way, to tell the stories that he so vividly told.
February 20, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Hazel,
My wife Trisha and I met you and Frank some years ago on a visit to Northern California, at Christian Family Fellowship, Santa Rosa, CA, somewhere during 1996 or 1997. We fell in love with you both!
We had a great opportunity to spend an evening with you both, had dinner, and had a great time. Just the last couple of days I was thinking a lot about Frank, wondering where he was and what he was doing. It was with immense sadness when I did a Google search and came up with this site. My love and prayers go out in a big way. Frank’s ministry was absolutely AWESOME! Every time the subject of Christian drama comes up, we always talk about the amazing power and message of Frank’s ministry. This would will have a huge aching hole without him in it.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you peace!
Your beloved brother in Christ,
Christopher Randall