Harvey Vernon Braswell, Jr.

Raleigh - Harvey Vernon Braswell, Jr., 71, passed away peacefully at home on August 4, 2016. While facing health issues over the past few years, Harvey continued to inspire friends and family with his tenacity, strength, and sense of humor. Harvey fought hard until the very end, always remaining the epitome of the caring husband, father, grandfather, and business leader. Upon news of his passing, many have fondly remarked about Harvey’s generosity, most notably in the roles he played in the lives of others. Born in Smithfield, NC, Harvey was the eldest of three sons of the late Harvey Braswell, Sr. and Sadie Stallings Braswell (later, Sadie Michael). Harvey thrived as an ambitious business leader, specializing in helping organizations overcome complex business challenges. His career carried him across the country, starting with a stint in the US Air Force that sent him to El Paso, Texas. Several years after returning to North Carolina and graduating from Guilford College in 1968, Harvey welcomed a son, Harvey Vernon Braswell, III. Harvey then embarked on adventures across the East Coast, Midwest, and Southwest US. Harvey concluded his career by moving back home to Raleigh, North Carolina to pursue his life-long dream of owning his own business. Always eager to pursue the next opportunity, Harvey was fearless of where life might take him. In a career that showed obvious ambition and determination, and which yielded great success, Harvey never lost sight of “his people.” As a strong leader who set high expectations, he tirelessly worked to empower his team to rise to their potential. He was loyal to his peers, and he attracted loyalty in return. Still, for all his professional success, Harvey will be remembered most fondly by his family. In 1981, while living in Raleigh, he married Karen Tatem Braswell, with whom he would enjoy 35 years of marriage and the joy of welcoming two daughters, Meagan and Lauren. On the weekends, he traded a business suit and board meetings for a cutoff T-shirt and family time. He was a devoted and proud father who made a point to encourage his children in school, in their careers, and in their service to the community. Harvey is survived by his wife Karen; his son, Harvey V. Braswell, III and daughter-in-law Mary; two daughters, Meagan Braswell and Lauren Braswell Reed; son-in-law Bryan Reed; grandson, Eli Harvey Braswell; two brothers, Stanley Braswell and Douglas Braswell; sister-in-law, Teresa Braswell; niece, Leah Braswell Stark; and nephew, Brandon Braswell. A celebration of Harvey’s life will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, Aug. 14 at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum (7501 Glenwood Avenue) with Air Force Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, the Braswell family requests that any donations be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org). A visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Saturday, August 13 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh.