Harold Navy, Sr.
Harold Sylvester Navy, Sr., a true pioneer in architecture and a cornerstone of his community, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, in Olney, Maryland, at the age of 89. He was born on August 1, 1935, in Houston, Texas, to a family that prized education and community service fostered by his parents Alexander and Blanche Navy. Harold’s life was one marked by dedication, warmth, and an enduring love for his family and his craft.
Harold was a man of great intelligence and kindness, traits that he brought into every aspect of his life. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Arlillian Thomas, and together they forged a partnership that would stand the test of time. The Navy family grew to include their late son, Harold Navy, Jr. and his wife Carmen, their daughter Valerie Navy-Daniels and her husband Darrell, and their son Michael Navy with his wife Samantha.
As a devoted family man, Harold took great pride in his lineage and delighted in the accomplishments of his grandchildren Sean (Nicole Hamzik) and Chantel Navy, Nicole and Dylan Daniels, Alexander and Makeala Navy, as well as his great-grandchildren Brodie, Reeve, and Vaida Navy.
The Navy siblings shared a strong bond, though Harold now joins his late brother Alexander Navy, Jr., and sister Erma Jane Navy in eternal rest.
Harold’s academic excellence afforded him a full scholarship to Howard University. It was here where his twin passions for architecture and fraternity bloomed—he became a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha. In those corridors of learning, Harold also met the beacon of his life, his beloved Arlillian, and together they began their lifelong journey.
Harold’s professional contributions to the architectural landscape are significant and enduring. His early work with Collins & Kronstadt emboldened him to dream big, as evidenced by his involvement in the design of the Leisure World Retirement Community in Silver Spring, Maryland. Despite the barriers of segregation, his talent could not be denied, and many years later, both Harold and Arlillian would become proud residents of the community he helped shape.
His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of Navy, Marshall, Gordon and Associates, one of the first African-American owned architecture firms in Washington, DC. Harold’s capabilities were not confined to the domestic sphere; his firm left its mark on national and international projects (Guinea, West Africa, Haiti, and Yemen), including high and low-rise residential, commercial, medical and recreational facilities, imbuing each project with a signature elegance and robustness. His most public legacy may well be his role as one of the creative visionaries behind the iconic Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall and design of several Metro stations in the DC area, which continue to serve the community he cherished.
Away from the drafting table, Harold lived life fully and joyously. An avid golfer, he could often be found on the greens, enjoying the tranquility of the game he loved. His passion for landscaping reflected itself in the beautiful surroundings of his home, where he created an oasis of serenity for his family to enjoy.
Harold Sylvester Navy, Sr., leaves behind a blueprint of a life well-lived. He will be remembered as a supremely loving and kind individual, whose sharp intellect was matched only by the size of his heart. He was a man who built more than buildings; he built a legacy of love, integrity, and service that will reverberate for generations to come.
His designs—in both concrete and spirit—will endure forever.
The memorial service to celebrate Harold’s life will be held 11:00am ET on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Colesville United Methodist Church, 52 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904. In lieu of flowers donations can be directed to the American Cancer Society in Mr. Navy’s honor.