John Oliver's Obituary

JOHN OLIVER'S OBITUARY

Devoted and loving father, husband and friend, John Edward Oliver, 43, of the 100 block of Rawlsdale Road, died suddenly Nov. 5, 2006, doing what he loved. John was born in Lorain, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1962, to J. Paul Oliver of Coral Springs, Fla., and Grace Lewis of Lorain, Ohio. In 1981, he graduated from Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He subsequently served nine years active duty predominantly in Camp Lejeune, N.C. and nine years in the Marine Corps Reserve based out of Newport News. He was activated while in the reserves to assist in Desert Storm. John was also a peacekeeper in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983 and survived the bombing of the Marine barracks in the early morning hours of Oct. 23. Immediately afterwards, he helped find other comrades in the rubble. It was an event that shaped the rest of his life and made him a fervent, yet reluctant, activist for veterans, veterans benefits, survivors of terrorism and all things pertaining to his beloved Marine Corps. He also made it his personal life’s mission to connect with the families of the brothers he lost that day and answers their questions as best he could. John was a member of Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post No. 4411, American Legion Post No. 73, Disabled American Veterans, Beirut Veterans of America and the Marine Corps League. He also immensely enjoyed coaching his son’s YMCA soccer teams and being the assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop No. 17. He loved working with children and they loved and respected him in return. Left to cherish his memory are his wife and friend of 18 years, Natalie (nee Rothwell); three daughters, Kayley Elizabeth and Riley Margaret of the home and Ashley Erin of Amherst, Ohio; two sons, Michael-John Thomas of the home and Patrick Steven of Amherst; three sisters, Grace Gonzalez and Jean Tolliver (Glen) of Lorain, Ohio and Catherine Swift (Tom) of Coral Springs, Fla.; his stepfather, William "Sonny" Lewis of Lorain and a stepsister, Barbara Thomas (Doug) of Charlotte, N.C. John is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Lynn and Patsy Rothwell of Franklin; his brother-in-law, Ian Rothwell (Amy) of Greenville, N.C.; four nieces, four nephews; his best friend and "brother," Richard "Richie" Hedgepeth of Carrsville; and his extended family in scouting and in the Marine Corps. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin. A memorial service with military honors will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Susan Reaves officiating. Keeping with John’s wishes, he will be cremated and his remains will be scattered at a later date at the Beirut Veteran’s Memorial in Jacksonville (Camp Lejeune), N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the John Edward Oliver Scouting Memorial Fund, c/o High Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 218, Franklin, VA 23851. Blessed be the peacekeepers. Semper Fi.