Donald Ralph Oliver, 87, of Florence, Arizona, passed away on January 4, 2022 in Queen Creek, Arizona. He was born in Hundred, West Virginia, on May 19, 1934, to Russell Leon and Anna Belle Oliver.
Donald graduated high school in 1953 from Uniontown High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. After graduation, Don joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country for 26 years between 1954-1982. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the rating of Machinery Repairman and the distinctions of Surface Warfare Specialist and Navy Recruiter. He served during the Vietnam War Era and sailed on ships in every ocean of the world.
Mr. Oliver was a faithful member of the Churches of Christ and spent much of his time reading his bible. He also enjoyed making people smile, watching the news, reading the newspaper, and drinking coffee. He had a love for maple long-john donuts and he couldn’t get enough of piping-hot Mexican food. Donald had a knack of striking up a conversation with people, including strangers, and loved “selling” Arizona as THE place to be.
Donald is preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia Ann Oliver, his parents, six brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his daughter, Deanna Lee (Oliver) Short of North Pole, Alaska; sons, Terry Wayne Oliver of Florence, Arizona, Randy Todd Oliver of Springfield, Missouri, and Tracy Ryan Oliver of Weatherford, Texas; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at the Sun Valley Church of Christ, 1015 N. Recker Rd. Gilbert, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Donald’s name and memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, www.stjude.org.
Dad will be missed by many. While we are sad to see him go, we rejoice in the knowledge that he is now with God, enjoying the company of Mom, his parents, siblings, and other family and friends who have gone on before him.