Harvey would give me the best advice
I met Harvey Huddleston through a mutual friend who worked for him at Xerox in Detroit, 39 years ago. By then they had both relocated to California, Harvey was still with Xerox and she had left to go into another field. We were both salespeople at heart I was in the Pharmaceutical industry and Harvey quickly became a mentor. I totally needed a voice of reason to help me navigate through a field that was primarily male and other. Smile. Harvey would give me the best advice. " No Clarice you can't say that you'll be fired and possibly jailed". We would both laugh and he taught me the art of think it but don't say it and be strategic and not emotional.
Whew- you have no idea how many times I used Harvey analytics to navigate through so many situations. As we continued our friendship I realized I was blessed that Harvey took me under his wings, he became my mentor and I often use to let him know without him I would have never made it to retirement in the same company for 26 years. In 2011 Harvey and I discovered we were related, who knew, through marriage, my husband was a Deanes, from Westpoint, MS. I was able to help him with some facts through Mary Alice Deanes of the family tree he was completing for his dear Mother Florida. We became even closer calling each other cuz, and when I introduced him to my ex Lester Deanes they became close friends and fishing buddies and talk often via the phone and visit at least once or twice a year when Harvey went to Detroit. What I grew to know, love, and admire about Harvey was his passion and love for his children and grandchildren. Who he bragged about often. As I embarked on my doctorate, he would share Sean Huddleston’s journey, when he told me he attended his defense I was so happy and jealous at the same time. If you’ve traveled that road you'll get it, anyway, I got to know all his boys, Marcus, Butch, Sean vicariously through him and Jennifer the gymnast because my granddaughter was a ballerina, so we would share bragging rights, as only grandparents can. I know this is long and it took me some time to write because of the obvious, I am devastated. Harvey loved to cook, in the day party hearty, have great conversations, and be your biggest cheerleader, if you were blessed. I heard about every accomplishment of every family member. Once I said hows the family cousin, he wasn't leaving anyone out, no one, he so proud of everyone, even his ex-wife who was also a Ph.D. LOL. I will miss him so much as we all will. The memories will make us laugh and cry because we realize we must at all costs hang on to every thread of love, hugs, advice that he left us. Love to the family, I am deeply sorry and you have my sincere and heartfelt condolences.
Clarice Kavanaugh