Donald Ray Oliver, 78, of Gilbert, AZ passed away on December 11, 2025, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Don was born on April 22, 1947, in Minneapolis, MN to Ray Gaston Oliver and Marjorie Saphronia (Prescott) Oliver.
Don had a rich life full of family, travel, golf, and professional success. He grew up in Minneapolis and was the Minnesota State Champion in cross country. He was also a talented artist, earning a degree in Studio Art from the University of Minnesota. He married Marsha Catherine Conrad on October 17, 1970, and began his career in banking, a path that would eventually take them to Sioux Falls, SD, Seattle, WA, and Helena, MT.
His long career included many noteworthy accomplishments—he was involved in the development of the first ATM card—and prestigious senior executive roles such as CFO of the Space Needle. His work afforded him the opportunity to golf in many beautiful places, and he traveled extensively outside of work as well. There were trips to California in his youth, a honeymoon in Las Vegas, multiple trips to Hawaii, and a number of European excursions--including an infamous family tour of Europe that would make Clark Griswold proud.
Don was known for many things - his warm and sometimes subtle or silly humor, his generosity, and fairness. He loved watching sports, eating a good steak dinner with friends and family, and sharing or recommending a fine wine. He hit a few jackpots and each time spent all the winnings on everyone else. In his barbequing days, many said he made the best burger they'd ever had. He married into the great big, wonderful Conrad family and had so many good times with his in-laws - camping and fishing in Minnesota, playing cribbage, backgammon, foosball, cards, and Pac-Man arcade until his hands were raw, in his western-themed bar that he designed for his basement. He appreciated a variety of music and really liked The Animals, Bob Dylan, and he loved the song 'Louie Louie' by The Kingsman.
Of everything in Don's life, family was most important to him, always. He was married to Marsha for 55 years and was a loving and devoted husband. Together they raised three children, welcomed in-laws and grandchildren, and did everything they could to ensure a good life for all of them.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha Oliver; children Jason (Angela) Oliver, Jennifer (Jason) Carlson, and John (Jamie) Oliver; grandchildren Erik Oliver, Ingrid Oliver, Mackenzie Carlson, Addison Hoover, Connor Carlson, and Emily Carlson; siblings Kay Imme and Linda (Jim) Androff; as well as a niece, nephews, a grandniece, and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held in Gilbert at a later date.
Don had a rich life full of family, travel, golf, and professional success. He grew up in Minneapolis and was the Minnesota State Champion in cross country. He was also a talented artist, earning a degree in Studio Art from the University of Minnesota. He married Marsha Catherine Conrad on October 17, 1970, and began his career in banking, a path that would eventually take them to Sioux Falls, SD, Seattle, WA, and Helena, MT.
His long career included many noteworthy accomplishments—he was involved in the development of the first ATM card—and prestigious senior executive roles such as CFO of the Space Needle. His work afforded him the opportunity to golf in many beautiful places, and he traveled extensively outside of work as well. There were trips to California in his youth, a honeymoon in Las Vegas, multiple trips to Hawaii, and a number of European excursions--including an infamous family tour of Europe that would make Clark Griswold proud.
Don was known for many things - his warm and sometimes subtle or silly humor, his generosity, and fairness. He loved watching sports, eating a good steak dinner with friends and family, and sharing or recommending a fine wine. He hit a few jackpots and each time spent all the winnings on everyone else. In his barbequing days, many said he made the best burger they'd ever had. He married into the great big, wonderful Conrad family and had so many good times with his in-laws - camping and fishing in Minnesota, playing cribbage, backgammon, foosball, cards, and Pac-Man arcade until his hands were raw, in his western-themed bar that he designed for his basement. He appreciated a variety of music and really liked The Animals, Bob Dylan, and he loved the song 'Louie Louie' by The Kingsman.
Of everything in Don's life, family was most important to him, always. He was married to Marsha for 55 years and was a loving and devoted husband. Together they raised three children, welcomed in-laws and grandchildren, and did everything they could to ensure a good life for all of them.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha Oliver; children Jason (Angela) Oliver, Jennifer (Jason) Carlson, and John (Jamie) Oliver; grandchildren Erik Oliver, Ingrid Oliver, Mackenzie Carlson, Addison Hoover, Connor Carlson, and Emily Carlson; siblings Kay Imme and Linda (Jim) Androff; as well as a niece, nephews, a grandniece, and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held in Gilbert at a later date.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Ray Oliver, please visit our flower store.
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