Harvey August Adolph Bongers was born April 20, 1941 to Harry and Renata Bongers. After a long struggle with leukemia, Harvey went home on Saturday, October 17, 2020. He is survived by his wife Suzy; daughter, Carol Hollis (Mike); step-daughter, Stacie Everson (Lindsey); step-son, Wes Wilson (Lindsey); grandchildren: Ashley Hollis Graniello (Javier), and Ryan Hollis; step-grandchildren: Emma Everson, Keely Everson, Avery Everson, Reese Wilson, and Rhett Wilson; great-grandchildren: Tristan, Julianna, and Gabriela Graniello.

Harvey grew up in San Antonio, graduating from Northside High School and later graduated from Texas Lutheran College in 1963. He graduated from the Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH in 1968, and did his internship in Parma, Oh. His first call was to in Drum/Somerset, OH. Harvey next took a call to Westhoff and Lindenau, TX, followed by Halletsville, TX. Harvey was an associate pastor at Faith Lutheran in Bellaire, TX followed by St. Paul Lutheran, Rosenberg, TX. About this time Harvey earned his D.Min. from Austin Presbyterian Seminary. He was called as pastor for Rejoice, the new satellite congregation, parented by Kinsmen Lutheran. Following Rejoice, Harvey served as interim pastor at Messiah Lutheran, Cypress, and was later called as their senior pastor. He officially retired from ministry in January of 2009. He continued ministering at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Houston. Harvey's ministry touched the lives of many people in all of these locations. He was a faithful, hard-working, compassionate pastor, remembered with love and respect.

Harvey's life was full of music. He was an accomplished pianist and a strong tenor vocalist. He used his gifts in the church, of course, but after retirement, he sang with the Houston Symphony Chorus, for ten years, including international performances. Harvey also was a member of the Houston Choral Society and the Kinsmen Lutheran Choir. Music was a joy in his life, and he shared his gifts to the glory of God.

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Harvey's creativity was apparent in all areas of his life. Many churches have seasonal banners on the wall that Harvey created.

Harvey was one of the longest survivors of CLL at MD Anderson, surviving 29 years with that disease. He also was cured from two other cancers in his life, meaning he fought cancer for 44 years total. He didn't let cancer control his life, living fully and joyfully. He received outstanding care at MD Anderson, where he is something of a rock star.

If you desire to give a memorial gift, please send donations to: CLL Global Research Foundation (www.cllglobal.org )

PO Box 301402, Houston, TX 77230

For those who desire to watch the service by livestream use this link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru2JUv_vSQzHQWZWkRfNjg/live