Harvey Lee Rister

Harvey Lee Rister was born October 2, 1941, in Jones County, Texas, to Wesley David Rister and Susie Mary Hickam Rister. He died January 2, 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 83 from surgical complications, pneumonia, and heart problems. 

Harvey graduated from Anson High School in Anson, Texas, in 1959, where he was on the football team. After graduation, Harvey and five friends enlisted in the Army Airborne 82nd Division and went to basic training in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was later stationed in South Korea. When his tour of duty ended, the Army extended it for several months due to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After Harvey’s military service, he attended college in San Diego, California. Harvey loved flying, and he made it his profession. He became a corporate pilot, and he worked for many private companies and individuals flying all over the United States as well as internationally. He also flew medical emergency flights ferrying critically ill patients to health centers. Harvey piloted for several regional airlines in Arizona in the 60s and 70s.

Harvey was preceded in death by his father, Wesley David Rister, in 1981; his brother, Jerry Wayne Rister, in 2012; his mother, Susie Mary Rister, in 2017; his son, Kirk David Rister, in 2019; and his wife, Katherine Edington in 2021. Harvey is survived by four sisters: Peggy Colosimo of Potosi, Texas; Betty Carter of Merkel, Texas; Patsy Long of Waco, Texas; and Suzy Richards of College Station, Texas; one brother, David Rister of Potosi, Texas; his stepson, Thomas Edington, and wife, Angie, of  Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren: Candis and Brooklynn Rister of Santa Rosa, California; Ryan Rister of Santa Rosa, California; and Sophia and Carter Edington of Phoenix, Arizona.

In his youth, Harvey and brother Jerry fished frequently, which led to Harvey earning the nickname “Hook” because he always had fish hooks in his pockets. Harvey spent a year in the mid 80s traveling in Australia exploring the country. In the mid 90s, Harvey was flying for Peabody Mining in Flagstaff, Arizona, and when taking off from the airport, noticed all the elk in the hunt area south of town. As a result, he enjoyed two successful elk hunts there in 1995 and in 1996 with his brothers David and Jerry along with Betty’s husband, Steve Carter. In 1999, Harvey, residing in Phoenix, Arizona, met the love of his life, Katherine Edington. They were instantly inseparable and in love. They married in September of that year and enjoyed each other for 22 years until her death in 2021. Harvey and Katherine shared an exciting and interesting life together. 

Harvey was an honest and caring man who demonstrated integrity and unconditional love and support for his family and friends. He is greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service for Harvey will take place Saturday, August 9th, at the Potosi Community Center at 2:00 p.m. Friends, relatives, and acquaintances are invited to attend.