- Date Of Birth: April 1, 1931
- Date Of Death: May 16, 2020
- State: Georgia
St. Augustine penned these words, “The world is a book and those who do not travel only read the first page”. Donald Harvey began his earthly journey in the tiny community of Centralhatchee in Heard County, Georgia. He was one of three sons born to the late Harvey L. and Clyde Faver Nutt The Nutt family left the rural farming life of Heard County as the depression took its toll on farmers. They found relative stability in the textile mills in Coweta County. While appreciating his parents’ desire to improve their lives, Donald knew that there was more opportunity outside the confines of Coweta County. After high school, Donald signed on to join the United States Air Force in 1951. For the next 20 years, as the saying goes, “the world was his oyster”. His life’s book pages would be filled with adventures worldwide. He was stationed in ten different installations from California to Japan, Korea (during the war there), Japan, Okinawa (during the Vietnam war) and finished his last enlistment in Charleston, South Carolina. His considerable mechanical skills made him a welcome addition to any Air Force base. Still, a young man when he retired from the Air Force, Donald spent the years 1972 – 1976 as an Air Force ROTC instructor at Palmetto High School. It is a safe bet that his students were regaled with some eye-opening tales from their well-traveled instructor. In yet another, career move, Donald worked for Georgia Power as a security guard in both Plant Yates and Plant Wansley. Donald never lost his interest in traveling the world, and with his buddy, Ben McAnsh, made trips to all of the Air Force museums across the United States. Donald could not outgrow his ties to the soil and took great pride in working and harvesting his annual garden. In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his brothers, Ross John Nutt and Harold Nutt. Both of his wives, Nora Abercrombie Nutt and Rena Traylor Nutt, and a son, Johnny Phillips also preceded him in death. Donald is survived by his children, Michael (and Georgia) Wortham of North Platte, NE, Mitchel Nutt of Seattle, WA, Jill Phillips (and the late Larry) Hesterlee, Lisa (and Tim) Lassetter, Rebecca Dingler Dean. His grandchildren are Eli Wortham, Grady Nutt, Robin Hesterlee (and Ray) Powell, Dani Phillips, Misty Cabello of North Platte, NE, Roman Waters, Kyler Nutt, Julia Lassetter and Jess Lassetter. His great grandchildren are Tesla Briones, Amber Cabello, Tala Cabello and Jackson Briones of North Platte, NE and Addie Waters. Donald’s brother, Harold, had moved to Seattle while working for Eastern Airlines. Donald had a special attachment to his nephews and great nephews there and referred to them as his “Nutt Boys”. When Donald’s life scope changed with age and physical limitations, his special friend became Harvey Wortham. Their visits usually consisted of watching westerns on tv, but, still, became an important part of his life.
