Whit Harvey

Whit Malcom Harvey was born Sept. 29, 1938, In El Paso, Texas, to Xie Robertson and Ben Ed Harvey. He died Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, just in time to meet his late wife. Lela Mary Harvey, for Valentine's Day in Heaven.

Known for his brash demeanor and straight-shooting style, Whit was the long-time owner/operator of the B.E. Harvey Ginning Company of Las Cruces, a family-owned business that he took over in 1958 and ran continuously through 1994, when he turned over operations to his daughter, Emmy Kay Harvey.

Prior to taking over the gin, Whit attended the Las Cruces Public Schools and the Colorado Military Academy, eventually enrolling in and graduating from New Mexico Military Institute. While in military school, he was on a team that won a world-class horse jumping competition. Subsequent to graduation, Whit was offered an appointment to the Army Academy at West Point. Faced with the choice of taking over the family business or pursuing a military career, he came back to Las Cruces, where he attended business classes at New Mexico A&M while learning the gin operation and management roles.

During his career, he served as president of the New Mexico Cotton Ginners Association, superintendent and board member of the New Mexico State Fair, member of the Texas Cotton Ginners Association and the National Cotton Council, as well as serving on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Las Cruces. He was an honorary life member of NMMI.

A lifelong fan of John Wayne, one of Whit's favorite quotes was, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." In all of his professional and personal pursuits, Whit saddled up. From racing go-karts in his youth to drag racing and motorcycle riding as a young adult, he pursued adrenaline rushes along with his friends in the Las Cruces-based Slow Poke Car Club, two of whose members went on to become professional race car drivers. He particularly enjoyed racing both ‘River Rat' and ‘The Armadillo,' two cars he tinkered on at home and ran like hell on drag strips and Compress Road. He also was a proud member of the 100 Mile Per Hour Club, whose members were clocked doing at least 100 mph on their motorcycles and received a ball cap with a gold band to commemorate the achievement.

He also was a fan of motorcycle touring, spending at least two weeks each year in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where he enjoyed fly fishing and golf. In the early 1970s, Whit and Lela purchased land north of Las Cruces that was officially named the Harvey Cattle Company, although Lela consistently referred to it as ‘Bareass Acres.' At the ranch, Whit raised cattle and tended to sheep, chickens, peacocks, guinea hens and barn cats, as well as his beloved dogs, Mighty Mo, TuTu and BowBow.

Whit was preceded in death by his parents, as well as by Lela, his wife of 50 years, in 2008. He is survived by his daughter, Emmy Kay Harvey, and his daughter-in-law, Kim Huddleston.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Masonic Cemetery, with the Rev. Frank Zamora officiating.

Service Details.
Service When
Monday, February 20, 2023 2:00pm
Location
Masonic Cemetery
Address
760 S Compress Rd
Las Cruces, Nm 88005


Interment Monday, February 20, 2023 | 2:00pm When
Monday, February 20, 2023 2:00pm
Location
Masonic Cemetery
Address
760 S Compress Rd
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005