Harvey Overton McDanal Jr.

Harvey Overton McDanal, Jr., 94, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and a longtime resident of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Born in Powderly, Alabama, a small Birmingham, AL community, on December 1, 1931, he was the son of Harvey Overton McDanal, Sr., and Sarah Ressie McDanal. He moved to Louisville in 1949 where he met June Marie Kennedy, the great love of his life. They were married on June 18, 1950, in New Albany, IN, and were married for 75 years. Known by his friends as H.O., he was a United States Navy veteran, serving in the Korean War on the United States Ship Trathan DD530 where he was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon and conducted amphibious operations as a forward spotter for naval gunfire. Harvey retired from Dupont, December 1989, after 33 years of service, and went on to work at Lowes for 17 years, retiring when he was 80 years old. Harvey attended Jones Valley High School in Birmingham where he played football.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Ressie McDanal and Harvey McDanal of Birmingham, AL; his son-in-law, Jim Norton of Chatham, IL; two sisters, Betty Torbert of Birmingham, AL, and Joyce Brown of Enterprise, AL, formerly of Radcliff, KY. His sisters affectionally called him Popo. He was especially close to his grandfather, Joseph Monk, who was his mentor and the role model for his life.

He is survived by his wife, June, of West Palm Beach; his daughters, Gayle Norton of Chatham, IL, and Karen Xenitelis (Arthur) of Loxahatchee, FL; his sons, Gary McDanal and Jeffrey McDanal (Renea) of Mt. Eden, KY; his grandchildren, Christopher Norton (Leslie) of Chicago, IL, and Deanna Verduin (Kurt) of Chatham, IL; his great grandchildren, Alaina Verduin and Colson Verduin, also of Chatham; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

Harvey was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan, unless they played Auburn, which then made him rethink his loyalty. He was a Christian man, who always had a smile and who loved to tease his family. There is nothing that pleased him more than offering a helping hand to friends and family alike, where he used his many talents to the benefit of others. He was loved by his family more than words can express. There was no better man to be called husband and father.

Harvey will be afforded a military service, graveside, at the South Florida National Cemetery on Thursday, April 2 at 12:30 p.m.