John L. (Jack) Harvey Biography

Jack Harvey (1923-2021)
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History

Jack Harvey, a seven-decade player from Spokane, Washington, was born in 1923 in Spokane and grew up playing tennis. He attended Washington State College from 1941-43, and V-12 Navy Officers Training, and later graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946, and started his own business in 1948, the John L. Harvey Company, a manufacturing representative for heating and air-conditioning equipment and service.

Career

Jack’s love of badminton started before age 17 when he won Spokane City Singles and Doubles champion titles in 1941 and 1942. After serving in the Navy, Jack returned to win the City title for another 17 consecutive years. He competed beginning in the 1950’s in MS and MD nationally and internationally, and XD beginning in the 1980’s. He and his top MD partners, Dick Witte and Ed McSweeney, and top XD partner, Joyce Jones, took top titles in the U.S. Senior Olympics, Canadian Masters, World Masters, Huntsman World Senior Games, U.S. Senior Nationals, and U.S. Senior International. He ended his playing career in 2013 at age 90 with 179 gold medals.

Jack was inducted into the USAB Senior Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Bill Graham Award in 2002 at the U.S. Senior International. He served on the USAB Board of Directors as Secretary and Region 4 Representative from 1989 to 1992. He and his wife Beverly had four children. He passed away December 9, 2021, at the age of 98.

Media and References

  1. Researched and contributed by Mary Ann Bowles, March 2023
    1. Seattle Spokesman-Review, 12 September 2013, 22 December 2021

Miscellaneous

World Badminton Museum       USA Badminton Museum


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