Donald McCreery Oliver

Donald McCreery Oliver, age 93, was born March 25, 1913 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri the second son of Robert Burett Oliver Jr. and Jessie McCreery Oliver. He attended kindergarten through eighth grade at the Training School of the Southeast Missouri Teachers College and, after graduating from Central High School in Cape Girardeau in 1930, attended The University of Missouri, receiving an A.B. degree in 1934 and a Master of Arts degree in Geology in 1935. Upon graduating, he was selected to be the University of Missouri representative to the first Geological Training Program of Phillips Petroleum Co. In 1935 he was sent to the exploration office of Phillips in Midland, Texas. He remained with Phillips and their exploration partner Kerr-McGee until 1946, when he resigned to become an Independent Oil Operator. In 1938 he married Idabeth Cowden and was the father of a daughter, Jessie Fay and a son, Cowden Oliver. While in Midland, he was a charter member of the Midland Country Club, an early founder and President of the Midland Petroleum Club and an organizer of the Midland Racquet Club. In addition to his continuing activity in the oil industry, he was a participant in the cattle ranching business of his father-in-law and brother-in-law in Texas and New Mexico. In 1969 he married Phyllis Runnestrand and they moved to Lakeway. Shortly after their marriage, they formed Custer Oil Co., a sole proprietorship with oil production in West Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming. He sold the company in 1984. He was a member of the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for many years, and together Phyllis and Don purchased an additional home in Colorado Springs and a small mountain ranch near Cripple Creek, Colorado. In addition to extended stays in Colorado they traveled extensively to many golf resorts in the United States. In the early years at Lakeway he was very active in civic and community affairs, including working on the committee for incorporation of Lakeway in 1974. He was part of a group who organized the Lakeway Ecumenical Church, as well as a major contributor. He originated the idea for the church’s Memorial Garden and helped with the funding. He was most appreciative of receiving the Lakeway Civic Corp.’s Citizen of the Year award in 1989. He was a member of the Headliners Club of Austin, Lakeway Golf Club and a founding member of The Hills of Lakeway. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and a generous and thoughtful grandfather. He was a very giving and loving friend to many people and a loving influence to all his family. His charisma and magnetic personality enlivened every gathering. Many will miss Don, but his legacy will continue---this giant of a man left an indelible mark on those who loved and knew him best. He is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis; daughter Jessie Fay Tatum, son Donald Cowden Oliver, daughter Joy Roberts, and son Charles Runnestrand; seven grandchildren: Pryor Lancaster, Ballard Castleman and wife Tracy, Rives Castleman, Melissa Quinn and husband Michael, Michael Oliver and wife Maria, Jason Leonard, Casey Runnestrand; ten great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Gertrude Oliver of Kansas City and Clarine Glover of Dallas. The family wishes to give thanks to Dr. Edward R. Chafizadeh and Dr. Brent Bennett for their special care and support, and to the many caregivers who gave so willingly of their time and attention. The family also extends deepest gratitude to Gloria and Tony Ayala and daughter Sandra for their compassionate assistance. A memorial service will be held in the Memorial Garden of the Lakeway Church on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family are invited to gather for a reception immediately following at the Lakeway Church Fellowship Hall. Contributions in his name may be made to the Lakeway Church Memorial Garden or to Hospice Austin. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com