ALAN "SPIKE" HARVEY
REGULAR DIVISION 2023
Alan “Spike” Harvey was born to Orbee and Eugene Harvey in July 1940 and joined his family who lived on Monte Vista Drive here in Vista. Spike and his sisters Donna Harvey Fields and Nancy Harvey Imoto are 2nd generation California natives. Both of their parents were born and raised in Lyons Valley in East San Diego County. Their father “Gene” Harvey was the first California Highway Patrol Officer in North San Diego County.
Spike grew up in Vista. He played in the open fields of Vista and walked around the friendly little downtown. Without exception, he knew everyone in town. Several years after his mom and dad divorced his mom remarried and became Orbee “Mihalek”. Anyone who lived in Vista in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s knew who Orbee Mihalek was. She was very much a part in city and county politics and served many different charitable organizations. Orbee was on the Vista City Counsel for 12 years. She was the Mayor of Vista in 1970 when Russell, Spike’s son was born.
Spike went all the way through school in the Vista school system from the old Jefferson School to the old high school on Escondido Ave. He was president of his freshman class and later Publicity Chairman for a year for the student body. After graduating he attended Palomar College as did many of his Vista High classmates. He was on the Palomar baseball team both years.
After graduating with his AA degree in prelaw, he attended San Jose State University for two years. It was about that time that the U.S. Army caught up with him. He was drafted and served two years. After basic training at Fort Ord, he was sent to Tripler Hospital on Oahu, Hawaii where he was the Company Clerk and spent the rest of his time in the Army. Spike was honorably discharged in September 1965 luckily, just before the Vietnam war heated up.
On November 23,1967 Spike married Beth (Hinshaw) Winans and instantly became the proud stepfather of her three young daughters: Sherri, Beckie and Tresa Winans. He worked for Clark’s Floor Covering on Main Street downtown as bookkeeper and in sales for several years, then in sales for another flooring company in San Diego. Spike opened his own company in San Diego, “Harvey Interiors Inc.”, in 1982 which he owned and operated for 20 years.
Spike has been supportive and a member of many local organizations: He was active with his son’s little league as coach and later umpire for The Vista National Little League: he was a member of the Vista Junior Chamber of Commerce, a Board of Directors member of the Vista Chamber of Commerce, an officer in the 1968 Elks Lodge and a member of the Vista Host Lion’s Club.
He is currently serving as a board member of the Walter Zable San Diego National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame and has been for 33 years. Spike has served on The Vista Historical Society Board for 12 years, as president for two years. He is a member and volunteer of the American Legion Post 365. Spike also has served in his church for 31 years here in Vista where he continues to serve. For 20 years, he and Beth have hosted a “Life Group” in their home each week through their church.
Spike and his wife Beth are the proud parents of their four children they raised here in Vista. They have nine wonderful grandchildren and two exceptional great-grandsons!