Harve Bear, 84, Who Took Life Seriously but Never Missed a Chance to Laugh
Harve Bear, 84, of Sciotoville, Ohio, an Air Force veteran, award-winning restaurant manager, devoted family man and lifelong practical joker, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2026, at SOMC Hospice Center, surrounded by his family.
Born March 25, 1942, to Elwood and Roxie Horsley Bear, Harve was a man of quiet leadership, deep faith and an enduring sense of humor. At age 9, he became the Scioto County marble champion, an early sign of his competitive spirit. A standout football player at East High School, he graduated in 1961 and married his high school sweetheart, Judith Howell, on September 7, 1962. They shared 64 years of marriage.
Harve served in the United States Air Force as a cook at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, supporting the Strategic Air Command. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, when all available personnel were called into action, he helped load nuclear weapons onto military aircraft. He also found time to open and operate a pizza shop in a spare kitchen on the base, foreshadowing a lifelong career in food service.
Over his decades in restaurant management, Harve earned awards for his leadership and became known for transforming struggling restaurants into successful, multimillion-dollar operations. He spent 21 years with Ponderosa and later worked for Village Catering in New Boston, delivering meals to senior citizens before moving into kitchen operations. Among his honors was being named a Kentucky Colonel.
Away from work, Harve enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music, classic Westerns, bowling, billiards, and cutting grass on summer days. He loved practical jokes and took particular pleasure in teaching children something new. He was also famously unable to pass an animatronic singing or dancing animal without pressing its button, and always laughing at the performance.
A man of deep Christian faith, Harve served as a trustee and church volunteer throughout his life. He was generous, slow to judge and a quiet leader who preferred helping others to seeking recognition.
Above all, Harve was devoted to his wife and family. He took his greatest pride in supporting their ambitions, celebrating their accomplishments and making sure they were cared for.
And as his four children would like everyone to know, yes, he really was their dad. They just called him Harve. They always had.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judith Howell Bear; daughter, Susan Kilgore; sons, Brian (Dee) Bear, Raymond (Maria) Bear and Bradley (Seth) Bear; 14 grandchildren, Alex Bear, Anna Bear, Anthony Martin, Caidy Bear, Carter Roe, Chassidy (Ryan) Hooper, Christopher Bear, Crystal Mongold, Eli Bear, Gabe Hanshaw, Joshua Kilgore, Levi Bear, Natalie Roe and Tyler (Courtney) Kilgore; and four great-grandchildren, Brayden Mongold, Bryson Mongold, McKynley Hooper and Nathaniel Hooper.
He is also survived by his brother, James "Woody" (Donna) Bear, and sisters, Rita Robinette and Sharon Stevens. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Vernon, Charles and Larry Bear.
Harve's life was defined not by the honors he earned but by a family well cared for, a job well done, a lesson passed along and the pleasure of making someone smile.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 13th, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Brant Preston Funeral Home in Sciotoville and Saturday, November 14th, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Franklin Furnace Independent Baptist Church. A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, November 14th, at 11 a.m. at the Franklin Furnace Independent Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Hankins officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Burial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice. Online condolences may be shared at www.brantprestonfs.com.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Brant Preston Funeral Service.