Thomas James Harvill, 70

Thomas James Harvill died peacefully Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at the age of 70.

Born Sept. 29, 1949, in Ephrata, Wash., to Louise and Ed Harvill, Tom grew up in Quincy, Wash., where he graduated from high school in 1967.There he married Gerri Adams in 1970.

Tom attended Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in education in 1971. Upon graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving for five years in the U.S. and Europe. While serving in Europe the couple had two children, Tara and Ryan.

Upon discharge from the military, Tom began a career in banking in Wenat-chee, Wash. From there they made their home in Colville, Wash., for 13 years and then in Sandpoint where Tom was the branch manager at Bank of America and American West banks, retiring in 2012.

Tom loved his family. He loved the outdoors, skiing and hunting as a young man, cutting firewood, and sailing his boat.

He also loved music; particularly country western and gospel music.

Tom always found joy working with his hands, wood working, fixing that which was broken, building something new, tinkering in the garage. He was mister fix it!

His passion was helping people. He volunteered tirelessly with Habitat for Humanity, serving on the board of directors and at the actual home building sites. He strongly believed in providing safe, affordable housing for everyone.

Tom sponsored children in Haiti through World Vision as part of the local ministry in which he participated, follow~a community.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Edwin Harvill of Palouse, Wash.

He is survived by his wife, Gerri; daughter Tara (Sean) Praven; son Ryan Harvill (Tom Weirbonics); grandson Tyler Praven, and his fun-loving canine sidekick, Ben. Also surviving are his sister, Patricia (Jim) Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at Coffelt’s Funeral Home on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity or North Idaho Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to sign Tom’s online guest book at coffeltfuenral.com

Arrangements are under the care of Coffet Funeral Service of Sandpoint.