Oliver Keyes' Obituary
Oliver was born October 18, 1919 in Neame, which was a small sawmill town in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. He passed away peacefully April 30, 2003 at Madigan Army Medical Center.Oliver, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, enlisted July 15, 1942. He received the SoldierÂ's Medal for Heroism and a Purple Heart for his actions in North Africa during World War II. Near the end of World War II, Oliver had the pleasure of serving a brief tour of duty with the 332nd Fighter Group as First Sergeant of the famous 99th Pursuit Squadron (the Tuskegee Airmen) stationed near the city of Foggia, Italy.After the war, Oliver returned to Fort Benning, Georgia and was appointed the Senior Administrative Non-Commissioned Officer to the Provost Marshal. He earned a degree in criminology from American University in Washington D.C. After serving a very distinguished 30 year career in the United States Army, he retired October 2, 1972 and returned to Tacoma, Washington. Oliver spent the first year of retirement playing golf, a game he taught himself at age 40 with a borrowed set of left handed clubs. He missed only two days due to the course being covered with snow. The second year of retirement he entered Bates Technical College and took a two year course in watch and clock repair. Soon after completion of the course, he opened Â"OllieÂ's Watch RepairÂ" in a little shop he had added on to the house. His shop was open for 16 years. He also enjoyed wine making, naming many of his wines after his grandchildren. His favorite pastime was golf. He played many rounds of golf with his buddies Henry Â"HankÂ" Richardson and William Â"BillÂ" Turner.Oliver is survived by his wife and lifeÂ's companion of 53 years, Daisy. Together they raised two daughters, Vera Wright and Lenora Higgins. He has four grandchildren, Christian E. Wright, Alice L. Senato, Brian J.K. Wright, and Anthony K. Brown; four great-grandchildren, Chaz Lawrence Senato, Logan Oliver Keyes Wright, Faith Keyan Heine-Brown, and Anthony Keyes Brown II. He is also survived by 5 brothers and 5 sisters, Zelma Jones, Johnny Keyes Jr., Franklin Keyes, Ernest Keyes, Carlos Keyes, Eloise Clay, Barbara Paige, Aquanetta Issac, Tammie Arnold, Carla Keyes; sisters-in-law, Mary Keyes, Rushia Sewell, Annie Cliatt; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also mourn his passing.Visitation will be from 11am to 9pm, Thursday and Friday, May 8th and May 9th at Mountain View Funeral Home.Funeral services will be held, 12pm, Saturday, May 10, 2003 at Eastside Baptist Church, 3575 Portland Ave. in Tacoma where Oliver was a member. Internment with Military Honors in Mountain View Memorial Park, Tacoma will follow the church service.Â"Life is a book of pages 3, the past, the present, and the future yet to be.The past is finished and laid away.The present is living day by day.The future is hidden for none to see.The door locked, God keeps that key.Â"-Unknown
What’s your fondest memory of Oliver?
What’s a lesson you learned from Oliver?
Share a story where Oliver's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Oliver you’ll never forget.
How did Oliver make you smile?