Harvey Gilley Obituary

Harvey Leon Gilley, 77, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away on July 24, 2025. Harvey was born in Pryor, Oklahoma on August 3, 1947, to Afton and Reda Mae (Jenkins) Gilley, both preceded him in death.

Harvey grew up on a farm in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He and his four siblings enjoyed swimming in the pond, hunting and fishing. The family raised pigs and cows and had a large garden from which they enjoyed fresh food.

After graduating from Mountain Grove High School, he made his way to Kansas City where he worked at Montgomery Ward. Later, he worked at a gas station as an attendant, pumping gas for customers. He was accepted into a Machinist school from a phone interview, which was very rare. Harvey thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of his lathe and milling work for over 55 years.

He met Patricia Wyrick on a blind date. They were married Dec 30, 1967, and raised three children in Kansas City, Kansas. His hobbies included playing softball – he was a great pitcher, gardening, hunting pheasant and quail. He became quite proficient in making salsa and cherry pie from his cherry tree.

Harvey was preceded in death by his sisters, Jeannie Bradshaw and Donna Dow.

He is survived by his three children, Angie (Boyd) Abts, Tammy (Michael) Dohr, and Brian (Martha) Gilley; his nine grandchildren, Tristan, Trace, and Ty Abts, Zachary and Alex Dohr, Ashlynn, Brennen, Conner, and Daenen Gilley; his two brothers, Jack (Patsy) Gilley, and Danny (Deby) Gilley; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.