RAYMOND ALBERT "R.A." OLIVER JR.
Sept. 22, 1925-Nov. 21, 2013
PRINCETON -- Raymond Albert "R.A." Oliver Jr. died at Windsor Point Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013.
Born Sept. 22, 1925, he was the son of the late Raymond Albert Oliver Sr. and the late Ada Edwards Oliver.
He was a lifelong resident of Princeton before moving with his wife, Dorothy Cooper, to Windsor Point in Fuquay-Varina in 2004. They were married for 65 years.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
R.A. graduated from Princeton High School, attended the Citadel and graduated from Campbell College.
He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, serving in the European theater, where he flew 35 missions over Germany.
Returning home, he worked with his father in the operation of R.A. Oliver and Son General Merchandise and Fertilizers for several years before being employed by Citizens Bank, which later became Branch Banking and Trust. He retired as branch manager in 1988.
In Princeton, he was an active member of Princeton United Methodist Church and Methodist Men. He served as Goldsboro District trustee of the United Methodist Church for many years.
He was also interested in the civic affairs of the town, and served on the Princeton Development Corp., the Princeton Planning Board and the Princeton School Advisory Board.
He was a member of the Lions Club, where he held many offices, including serving as zone chairman of 31-H.
He was a retired volunteer fireman of Princeton Fire Department.
Church, family, friends and fishing were his greatest treasures.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Lynne Martin (Vann) of Clayton and Karen Johnson (Kim) of Wilson; son, Ray Oliver, III (Rhonda) of Apex; his grandchildren, Leslie Mederos (Bert) and Adam Martin, Mark and Robert Johnson and Evan, Drew and Chase Oliver; great-granddaughter, Olivia Mederos; and great-grandsons, Owen and Will Mederos.
The family wishes to express many thanks to the caring staff at Windsor Point, Hospice of Wake County and a special thanks to caregiver Linda Chilcoat, all who enduringly called R.A. "Smiley."
Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Parrish Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Princeton United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors will follow at Princeton Cemetery.
Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to the building fund at Princeton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 116, Princeton, N.C., 27569.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 24, 2013 1:15 PM