Harvey James Gatlin, 50 year old well-known Vinita resident, died early Sunday, August 11, 2002 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Harvey was born October 14, 1951 in Waco, Texas to Walter Massey Gatlin and Helen (White) Gatlin.  He was a 1969 graduate of Vinita High School, a 1973 University of Oklahoma graduate, and received his Masters of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He also was a C.P.A. 

Harvey married Kathleen Hankins on May 17, 1975, in Vinita.  He lived most of his life in Vinita.  He had lived in Kansas City for a short period of time and in Grove, where he was an education and youth minister.

Harvey taught school in Vinita for 11 years, teaching math and computers, and started the gifted and talented program.  He had also served on the Vinita school board and had been director of music at First Baptist Church in Vinita and Cleora Baptist Church.

Harvey was currently employed by KAMO Power as Director of FInance.  He was a member of White Oak Baptist Church, where hw was also a deacon and music director.

The family includes: his wife Kathleen, of Vinita; two daughters, Edythe Gatlin of Oklahoma City and Leah Gatlin of Vinita; his mother, Helen gatlin, of Vinita, a brother, Andy gatlin, and wife Rosie of Toronto, Canada; two brothers-in-law, Sam Hankins and wife Diana of Grove and Richard Hankins and wife Carmen of Shady Shores, Texas; six nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter, who died on January 4, 1975.

The funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at the First Baptist Church in Vinita, with Rev. Leland Bartlett, Barry Denney, and Chris Cariker officiating.  Interment will follow at the Fairland Cemetery , Fairland, OK.