John J Oliver

John was born on November 7, 1932 on the Oliver Homestead just 2 miles east of Wauneta, Nebraska to his parents Delbert and Grace Oliver. If he wasn’t helping on the farm feeding chickens, hogs or milking cows, he would be pursuing his passion of hunting, fishing and trapping with his younger brother James “Jim” and his many cousins. Life was good on the Farm.

While growing up, he found a love for baseball which continued throughout his life. He pitched many “no hitters” for the Wauneta Home Team and it was even rumored he was scouted by the White Sox. He coached and umpired for Scottsbluff 23 Club and Gering GO Baseball for several years and then became the Nebraska State Commissioner for over 40-years for Babe Ruth Baseball. In 2012, he was inducted into the NE Baseball Hall of Fame.

John graduated from Wauneta High School Class of 1950. In 1953, he entered into the US Army. He served in the Korean War attaining the Rank of Sgt in the 24th Infantry Division Honor Guard and then after Korea, he transferred to the Army Reserve. He was very patriotic, loved his country and always flew the American Flag outside his home.

After his service in the Army, he joined the Nebraska Safety Patrol (Badge 162) and worked as a Trooper around the Kimball, NE for 10-years. He transferred to Scottsbluff in 1965 as a Criminal Investigator for the Nebraska State Patrol. He was proud and honored to be part of the Nebraska State Patrol family. After retiring in 1985, he started Panhandle Investigations and ran Polygraph and private investigations until 2016.

John was fondly known for his love of whistling, reciting poetry and entertaining his family and friends.

Probably some of the best times of his life was spent on his Gold Wing Motorcycle, traveling all 48-states and Canada. He and his late wife Sherry were the Founders of Chapter W GWRRA in Scottsbluff and made many life-long friends. He loved traveling on his motorcycle with the “wind in his face.”

The last year of his life, he resided at Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff making new friends and enjoying activities. Following an accident, John passed away on October 20, 2024 at Regional West Medical Center with his two daughters holding his hand.

Cremation was done and per his request, his ashes were placed in two (2) urns with one (1) urn to be buried next to his loving wife Sherry at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering, NE on November 8, 2024 and the second (2) urn to be buried on November 9, 2024 at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, NE in the Oliver Family Plot next to his parents.

He is survived by his daughter Rene (Roger) Keller of Mitchell, NE, son John D. of Scottsbluff, NE, daughter Cecilia (Denis) Munoz-Plaza of Mesa, AZ and James Oliver of Lincoln, NE; grandsons Ryan Keller, Chad (Stephanie) Keller, Aaron (Bryanna) Blanco, and James P. Oliver; great grandchildren Donovan (Arika), Logan, Liam, Brynnleigh, Zander and Charley; and one great great grandson Allan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sherry, his beloved younger brother James “Jim” and sister-in-law Beverly, and many family members, co-workers and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to the High Plains Honor Flight or Lone Eagle Honor Flight which supports Veterans so they can visit the memorials in Washington DC that were built in honor of their service and their fallen brothers and sisters. This is a once in a lifetime trip for our Nations Heroes! Memorials can be mailed to Rene Keller, PO Box 687, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Oliver family. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with services.