Obituary of Harvey Firestone, Jr.

Harvey Firestone, Jr., 81, of Elliston and formerly of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. Firestone was born Oct. 16, 1935 in Marion, Va., to parents, the late Blanche Delp and Harvey Firestone, Sr. He was also preceded by his wife, Ruby Firestone, and sisters Ruth Simmerman and Loretta Firestone Sutherland. Firestone retired from Thomas Brothers Construction in 1998 after spending over three decades with the company. He was a long-time member of Melrose Baptist Church, where he had many friends he held dear. When he was not working, he enjoyed nature watching and NASCAR. But mostly, he was a people person, always helping others the best he could, making people laugh and spending time with his family. Firestone was a loving and gentle husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Rebecca Bartlett and husband Jeffrey, of Elliston; granddaughter, Kelsey Bartlett; grandson, Matthew Bartlett and fiancée Chelsea Greenway; sisters, Brenda Umberger, of Atkins, Bonnie Meadows, of Marion; four brothers, William Firestone and wife Linda, Robert Firestone and wife Carol, Herbert Firestone and wife Dorothy, and Steve Firestone, all of Marion; a special niece, Kay Robinson, of Seven Mile Ford; his Sunday School Class at Melrose Baptist Church; and a plethora of other friends and relatives that are too numerous to mention. The family would like to say thank you to the staff at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem and Montgomery County, and especially Good Samaritan Hospice their care and support of Mr. Firestone. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Melrose Baptist Church in Firestone’s memory. A funeral service celebrating Mr. Firestone’s life will be held at noon on Friday Feb. 10, 2017, at Simpson Funeral Home. The Rev. Larry Sprouse and the Rev. Brenda Rowe will be officiating, with interment following in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home.