Lafayette - A Mass of Christian burial for Russell Lee Harvey 53, will be held Saturday May 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM at David Funeral Home, with Fr. Bill Ruskoski Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday May 29, 2015 from 5:00PM until 9:00 PM, with a Family Missions Company Vigil to be held at 6:00 PM and a Rosary recited at 7:00 PM, and will continue Saturday from 8:30 AM until time of services. Russell Lee Harvey, born February 7, 1962, died at Oschner's Hospital in New Orleans after a long battle with cardiomyopathy. He graduated from Ovey Comeaux High School in 1980. He joined the Navy in February of 1980 and was stationed in Vallejo California where he served for two years as the plainsman on the USS Seawolf, the second nuclear submarine commissioned by the Navy. In 1982 he married his high school sweetheart, Lori Bourgeois. They lived in Houston and Dallas until finally moving back to Louisiana in 1997. Russ loved the ocean and scuba diving. While in Dallas he worked at Aqua Adventures and became a Dive Master. He loved being able to help people overcome their fears of the water and enjoy the freedom of diving. Now he can swim in the emerald seas of heaven. Russ was a convert to Catholism in 2000 and wanted people to celebrate Gods Love. He had a deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. In 2007 they joined the Family Missions Company of Abbeville, a Catholic mission company, as missionaries. While there, they experienced the joy of serving God and spreading the Gospel. Russ served as the cook and drove many missionaries to the Houston airport. When they joined FMC, they sold their home and transitioned to a simpler life in their RV. They have since been able to travel many places and meet many wonderful new friends. He is survived by his wife of 33 years Lori Bourgeois, his mother Audrey Reeves Gulley of Hattiesburg Mississippi and her husband Ed Gulley, his sisters Angela Harvey and Esther Welty of Beaumont Texas, his in-laws Francis and Jackie Bourgeois of Lafayette, Jan and Matt Pierret of Plano Texas and their daughters Rebecca and Rachel, Dione and Michael Sonnier of Breaux Bridge and daughters Taylor and Darion, and John Bourgeois and Susan Love of Los Gatos California, Godson Josiah Baquet of Lafayette, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and treasured friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Earl Harvey. While flowers are welcome, donations can be made to offset medical expenses. A non-profit account has been set up to receive these donations at any Home Bank in the name of Russell Harvey Benefit Account, or may be mailed to Home Bank 503 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Lafayette La. 70508. Memorial contributions can also be sent to The Family Missions Company, 12624 Everglade Road, Abbeville, LA 70510. Condolences may be sent to the Harvey family at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home 316 Youngsville Hwy (337)837-9887 is in charge of arrangements.
