Paul D. Oliver

Paul David Oliver, 69, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, February 27th, 2025.
He was a beloved husband to Jean Kaderabek Oliver and admired father to Ryan (Samantha) and Alex (Valerie). He was an adored PawPaw to his first grandson Jameson Oliver. Loving nephew to Jerry (Omar), dear brother-in-law to Karen (Kevin) Colbert, the late Debra (James) Walter, Greg (Catherine) Kaderabek, Laura (Bob) Adams, Tina (Tim) McMorland. Nor can we forget, Grampy to his beloved German Shepherd, Gunner Oliver.
Paul was born to Bill and Pauline (Frye) Oliver on November 7, 1955. Moving at a young age, his family relocated to Kansas City. Then at 5 years old, they moved to Effingham, IL, where he spent his childhood and high school years.
Paul's early career began in Effingham, IL with a variety of jobs ranging in construction, Jansen's Dept Store, EMT work, and as a Deputy Coroner. He attended the University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1985, he began his career at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing as the lead electrical engineer on the Tomahawk Guidance System Project. A year later he met his future wife, Jean, while she was working on the software side of the project. They dated for 6 years before getting married in 1995 when he relocated to Washington D.C. to start their family. Paul began pursuing his MBA in International Business at George Washington University and welcomed their first child, Ryan, in 1995. They were blessed with the birth of their second son, Alex, in 1996.
Paul's career spanned many years with many different military weapons and aircraft programs. He returned to St. Louis headquarters in 1998, in a management position at Boeing overseeing sales and marketing of the Asia Pacific region. He quickly gained more responsibilities, including flight test operations manager for both the Tomahawk and Harpoon Missile programs. In 2004 Paul accepted an international position overseas in Bern, Switzerland where he oversaw business development in central Europe. Family in tow, Paul, Jean, Ryan and Alex spent almost 2 years exploring Europe, skiing in the Alps, learning new languages, enjoying new cuisine and meeting new friends. What an experience of a lifetime. After his assignment completed, he returned to STL in a new role as Director of International Business Development where he spent the next 10 years. He travelled around the world representing Boeing interests in India, South Africa, Taiwan, Dubia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE. His career spanned Harpoon, Tomahawk, F/A-18, F15, Osprey and the AH-64 Apache The highlight of his career was an adventurous ride in an F/A -18, camel riding and falconry. After a long successful career, Paul retired from Boeing in 2017 to pursue his hobbies, interests and spend quality family time.
Paul and Jean remained active in retirement, joining bocce ball leagues, billiard leagues and attending weekend NRL matches. Through all those hobbies, they made lifelong friendships that would take them all over the country, to National Parks, Rodeos, yearly family vacations to the Outer Banks and Gulf Shores beaches. Paul had a way of being able to bring people together and really make you feel like family.
2024 was a milestone year for Paul. He fully embraced his faith and converted to Catholisism and continued to work with the RCIA program to help guide others. He and Jean shared their love of Our Lord, Jesus Christ with everyone they knew. Shortly after this celebration, Paul became a proud grandfather (PawPaw) to his first-born grandson, Jameson (Jamo), a whole new love in his life.
Paul's memory will live on through his wife, Jean Kaderabek Oliver, of 32 ½ years, his son Ryan (Samantha), son Alex (Valerie) and grandson Jameson and as well as extended family members, many friends and of course man's best friend, Gunner.
Paul was predeceased by his Father and Mother, Bill and Pauline (Frye) Oliver.
Donations can be made to Birthright of St. Charles in his honor.
His Visitation will be held at Hutchens-Stygar Funeral home on March 7th from 4-8pm
His Funeral Mass will be at St. Cletus Catholic Church on March 8th at 10am