Timothy Steven Oliver

Timothy Steven Oliver
November 24, 1952 – June 26, 2024
Regrettably, Tim Oliver, 71, passed away in his Boone County home near Hallsville on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in the presence of his loving wife, Mona, following several years of declining health. A Christian of strong faith with a warrior's heart, Tim has returned to his Maker to dwell with friends and loved ones in heaven.
Tim was originally from Woodson Terrace (St. Louis), the oldest of two children born to John and Pauline (Calvin) Oliver. Both parents preceded him in death. Tim's sister, Judith Ann Oliver of Cuba, Missouri, passed away in 2017. Tim is survived by his wife, Ramona Ellen Oliver (née Griggs), who he married on August 15, 1982. They had no children.
Tim moved to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri, School of Business and Public Administration, majoring in management and marketing. In 1975, he purchased an import auto parts store and repair shop in Columbia, which he owned and managed.
Sometime in the late 70s, Tim passionately wanted to learn how to fly and earned his pilot's license. Tim purchased an ultralight aircraft and later became a certified ultralight flight instructor, teaching others how to fly. Tim's first general aircraft, a 1948 Cessna 120, was purchased for him by his wife, Mona, who married him on the balcony at Cotton Woods airport (then turned ultralight air park), north of Columbia. Sadly, Tim had to give up flying altogether in the last few years of his life because of deteriorating health.
Tim had also begun instructing civilians and law enforcement in defensive pistolcraft skills in 1975. Tim greatly enjoyed competitive shooting and won a number of match trophies. He was a founding member of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) in 1976 and the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) in 1997, both started in Columbia.
After selling the automotive business in 1978, Tim attended MU's Law Enforcement Training Institute and worked as both a reserve and regular police officer for the Columbia Police Department for 5 years and, later, for the Hallsville Police Department. He was a MO Dept of Public Safety POST-certified police officer and law enforcement firearms instructor, and was the firearms training officer for the Hallsville Police Department and a reserve officer with 28 years of service at the time of his retirement from that department.
In 1983, he was the first law enforcement trainer to employ paint-ball guns to train police in defensive pistolcraft skills by allowing non-destructive testing of their tactics, often traveling to other states to do training when requested.
Tim's company, Learn To Carry, LLC, provided firearms training for handgun and rifle use in Missouri, including the required classes for obtaining concealed-carry permits. Learn To Carry was also a source of gun-related news and information via its newsletter, website, and social media.
In September 2003, Tim taught the first ever license-to-carry class given in the state to qualify for a Missouri license to carry. Two students from that class, State Rep Larry Crawford and his wife, also obtained the very first endorsements (ccw permits) issued by Missouri.
As a committed gun-rights activist, Tim also worked in the state capitol as a special-issues lobbyist for many years. In 1991, Tim was one of the original activists working for passage of Missouri's license-to-carry law, and he was the lead grassroots/volunteer lobbyist for most of the 13 years it took to pass the law. He was also the lead grassroots lobbyist in the 2007 passage of Missouri's Castle Doctrine Law (which included abolishing the Permit To Acquire), as well as the 2008 passage of the Range Protection Act and the 2009 expansion of the Castle Doctrine Act.
In 2007, he formed a partnership called Learn To Carry Productions, Ltd with noted Second Amendment lawyer, Kevin L. Jamison, to co-write, produce, and distribute "Missouri-Concealed Carry and Self-Defense Law," an educational video for citizens and for use by ccw instructors.
Tim was a past secretary and a past member of the board of directors for the Missouri Sport Shooting Association, a past vice president and past board member for the once popular online forum at MissouriCarry.com, and a past member of the board at the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club.
Tim had also been a co-host on the popular morning radio program, Gary On Guns, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on "The Eagle" 93.9 FM, Columbia or via live-stream at www.TheEagle939.com.
Prior to and during his firearms training business, Tim owned and operated DARES International, a successful private investigations and process service company. Not as exciting as Magnum P.I., but there was a murder solved.
Rest in peace, Tim.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.