Burtis Lynn "Burt" Oliver

1927 - 2015

BURTIS LYNN "BURT" OLIVER, 87, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2015, in Hamlin, Texas. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the First Baptist Church with burial following at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery, directed by Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015, at Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home.

Born April 18, 1927, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Burt was the son of John and Verdie (Robison) Oliver. He served in the United States Army during World War II. On January 7, 1949, he married the love of his life, Grace Turner, at Carlsbad, New Mexico, and they celebrated their 66th anniversary only a few days earlier. He met Grace while in Hamlin working in the oilfields. He went on to found and operate the Fina Wholesale/Retail Distributorship in Hamlin for many years. Burt was a member of the Hamlin Masonic Lodge where he served as Worshipful Master; a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason; and went on to become a member of the Suez Temple of Shriners in Sweetwater.

Burt was active with and president of the Pied Piper Booster Club and attended Hamlin High's sporting events faithfully while he resided in Hamlin. Serving as class parents numerous times over many years, he loved most the role as a class parent for the senior classes of 1968 and 1969. Burt and Grace moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico in 1991, where he joined the Lions Club and once again was very active at the local and state level. Burt enjoyed going to the horse races and for many years worked part time at the race track.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Grace of Abilene, TX; son, Tom Oliver and his partner Victor Romero of Washington, DC; and his daughter, Reta Oliver and her husband, Steve Rogers of Stamford, TX; brother Jerry of California; sisters Etta Belle Williamson of Texas; Evelyn Baker of Oklahoma, and Elizabeth Bradley and husband Albert of Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Betty Oliver of Abilene, TX; Ella Mae Scifres of Stamford, TX; and brother-in-law Charlie Turner and wife Jacqueline of Noodle, TX; as well as numerous nieces and nephews that were like having that many more of his own children.

Memorial donations can be made to the Hamlin Cemetery Association Memorial Fund, the Hamlin Ex-Students Association Scholarship Fund, or one of your choice in lieu of flowers.