Meldrum J. Harvey 1933-2021

Posted Tuesday, September 21, 2021 5:51 pm

Meldrum J. Harvey, M.D., 87, of Mineola passed away on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.

Dr. Harvey (Mel) was born in Toronto, Canada Nov. 29, 1933 to Walter and Dorothy Leslie Harvey.

He was a warm, kind and compassionate man with a gifted mind. He lived a full and exemplary life.

Dr. Harvey graduated from Western Technical Collegiate in Toronto prior to attending the University of Tulsa, Okla., with a concurrent curriculum at the University of Toronto, earning a bachelor of science degree in petroleum production engineering.

To pursue his lifelong desire to become a doctor, he returned to the University of Oklahoma (OU), Oklahoma City, earning his doctorate in medicine.

Shortly after leaving OU, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and honorably completed his military career as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.

After his military service, Dr. Harvey moved his family to Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and started his first medical practice. His primary purpose was to organize the community to build their first hospital in Lake Havasu. This dream resulted in Lake Havasu City Medical Center Hospital.

Further pursuing his interests in cardiovascular surgery, he joined the Texas Heart Institute, cardiovascular surgery program, under Dr. Denton A. Cooley, M.D.

Upon having completed his fellowship at Texas Heart Institute, Dr. Harvey moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to establish an open heart program at Providence Hospital.

In addition to his cardiovascular surgery training, he acquired his accreditation in thoracic surgery at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Dr. Harvey was recruited to start a new cardio-thoracic surgery program in Owensboro, Ky., where he remained for the next ten years.

Upon retiring from his medical practice, Dr. Harvey pursued his interests in the livestock industry in Kentucky.

Meldrum was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Dorothy Harvey, and brother, Leslie G. Harvey.

He was survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Joan K. Harvey; his sons, M. Gregg Harvey (Candy), Richard M. Harvey (Cindy), J. Randall Harvey and Michael W. Maddox (Yvonne); daughters, Michelle J. Maddox, Maresa E. Muhlethaler (Robert) and Margaret A. Davis; grandchildren, Jeremy Harvey, Stephen Harvey, Jonathan Harvey, Adam Harvey, Amanda Strack, Alyssa Self, Michael D. Maddox, Christina Maddox, Natalie McCulloch, Nicholas Maddox, Gabriela Maddox, Dwaynne Lloyd, Elizabeth Ortiz, Keith Harvey, Jason Harvey, Emily Maddox, Bianca Davis and Sophia Davis; niece, Lisa Poole (Steve); great-grandchildren, Aviana Lindsey, Rosalie Self, Isabella Self, Beau Self, Isaiah Harvey, Landon Maddox, Sebastian McCulloch, Leia Maddox, Marai Maddox and Cooper Harvey; caregivers, Chasity Scott and Haisley Kate; and pets, Gigabyte, Heidi and Charlie.

There will not be services held for Dr. Harvey per his wishes.

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