Coach Buster Harvey

Coach Arthur Lawton "Buster" Harvey, 64, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at his residence following an extended illness. The son of Lawton Arthur Harvey and Thelma Lucille (Ellis) Harvey, "Buster" was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1956 in Jacksonville. He was educated in the Duval County School district. In 1974, he graduated from Forrest High School, Jacksonville; in 1976, he earned an Associate's degree from Florida Junior College; in 1978, he earned a Bachelor's degree Erskine College; and in 1979 he earned a Master's degree from the University of North Florida. "Buster" was of the Baptist faith. He had a distinguished 33-year basketball coaching career commencing in 1980 as an assistant coach under Lyndle McCurley at Florida State Community College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) before taking over as head coach in 1983-84. Harvey recruited hundreds of players from mostly Northeast Florida to play for him in coaching stops at FSCJ (11 seasons), Edward Waters (seven seasons), St. Johns River State College (seven seasons) and at Jacksonville University, where he served as an assistant for two years and then interim coach in 1996-97. In 2012, his career climaxed when SJRSC dropped its basketball program. He finished with a record of 517-324 (.615). Harvey twice led FSCJ to state championship game appearances and was elected into the Florida Junior College Hall of Fame in 1996. He will be fondly remembered as a fiery, meticulous, fair-minded, compassionate coach who genuinely touched the lives of countless young people in his community. "Buster" never wavered about going to the toughest neighborhoods to find and recruit kids who would become the best players on his teams. He genuinely cared about them and always focused on each individual's total well-being. He also taught the youth with the upward basketball program and faithfully participated in AAU Basketball.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Jennifer Ruth Harvey; daughter, Kimberly Lynne Harvey; step-son, Christopher Charles Rutherford; brother, Richard (Teresa) Harvey; sisters, Tina Raulerson, Kathy (Buddy) Harvey Dux, Jane (Ronnie) Harvey Robinson, Dayle (Phillip) Harvey McLaughlin, Gayle (Ricky) Harvey Dingle; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor's executive stay-at-home order, the Harvey family will conduct a drive-thru processional tribute at 12 noon (attendees must stay inside their own vehicle) with a private family memorial at 1 p.m., Monday, May 4 at Jacksonville Memory Gardens, 111 Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park.