Kathleen Virginia Oliver

Kay grew up in El Campo, Texas, the only child of Richard Bronough Drake and Erna Lena Kaiser Drake. Her father owned a men’s clothing store/cleaners, and her mother was a country schoolteacher. Kay enjoyed music, had a lovely voice, and played the piano for a short time in her youth. She loved spending time with her grandmother and relatives in La Grange and Rockport, Texas. She remembered, as a child, attending a town picnic and being a part of the exciting ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new Colorado River bridge in La Grange.

Kay graduated Valedictorian from El Campo High School, finishing her studies in 3 years. She served as Class Historian, was a member of the Music Appreciation Club, the A Cappella Choir and TRI-HI-Y, a Christian Service Organization. She attended Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas and Wharton County Junior College, in Wharton, Texas, where she was affiliated with Phi Theta Kappa, an honorary scholastic fraternity. Kay graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1955, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. While attending UT, Kay was a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an honorary education fraternity, WICA – Women’s Independent Campus Association and Wesley Foundation, a campus ministry. She was a MICA Sweetheart Finalist and Bluebonnet Belle Nominee. Kay thoroughly enjoyed her time at UT and was always proud to sport her Texas Longhorn affiliation.

Before college graduation, Kay spent one summer working in Yellowstone National Park. She worked in the General Store where she had the pleasure of selling a hat to Bob Hope. The following summer, she worked at the Lodge at Glacier National Park and met Charlton Heston during the filming of The Far Horizon. He was very kind and invited her to the set, where she enjoyed watching the behind-the-scenes activity. Kay had such fond memories of her adventures working in the two national parks. She cherished the unique opportunities and the friendships made.

Following graduation from UT, Kay, “Miss Drake” took a job teaching 2nd grade at Zilker Elementary in Austin.

Kay met James Parker Oliver, Jr. while they were students at UT, and they married in 1956. Her priorities shifted from teaching elementary children to raising and teaching the children she adored most, her firstborn, James Parker Oliver III, and soon to follow, David Lee Oliver and Kathryn Marie Oliver Mitchell.

The family enjoyed camping together and visited many National Parks during the 1960s and 1970s. One summer, the family embarked on a 3-week camping trip throughout Colorado and the west coast, including a stop at Disneyland! They took family skiing vacations in Colorado and spent countless hours water skiing on Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Kay mastered dropping one ski and rolling into slalom skiing with family and friends.

Kay was very involved with her children’s activities. She served as Cub Scouts Den Mother, cheered on the side lines of Jim and Dave’s Little League games, and attended Kathy’s dance and piano recitals. She was very creative and artistic. She baked and decorated elaborate cakes for her children’s birthday parties. She was also an accomplished seamstress, making all her doll’s clothes when she was young. Later, she created beautiful Christmas stockings adorned with intricate appliques, sequins, and pearls, along with making many school and Halloween costumes for her children.

In later years, she was very capable and independent, managing several rental properties while working for the State Comptroller’s office for 17 years. She retired soon after her first grandchild was born and enjoyed the role of Nanie to all her grandchildren.

Kay enjoyed travel, both independently and with family and friends. She loved to explore new territory in her mini-Winnebago, accompanied by her black lab, and loyal companion, Tamie. Their escapades included exploring many state parks in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. She also thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family at their mountain home in Colorado and lake houses on the highland lakes here in the Texas Hill Country.

Later, she enjoyed traveling with several longtime friends. Their trips included a cruise to Alaska, a trip to Europe, focusing on Austria and Switzerland and many trips to Costa Rica. Kay maintained an apartment in Costa Rica for many years, with a dear friend whose family still lives there.

Kay loved animals. In addition to our family pet, a black lab named Tinkerbelle, she had her dog, Tamie, and cats Dee Dee and Sweetie Pie, all who were devoted to Kay during many challenging years. Kay nurtured, loved, and helped her pets, who in return loved and helped her, too.

Kay did her best to overcome life’s challenges, and she loved her children as much as any mother could. She was generous to her children, grandchildren, and friends. She also loved watching Wheel of Fortune and had the prettiest handwriting I have ever seen!

She is survived by her children, James Parker Oliver III (Jim) of Austin, Texas; Dave Oliver and his wife Debbie of Austin, Texas; Kathy Oliver Mitchell and her husband Tom of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emily Mitchell Bertram and her husband Tim, Danielle Oliver, James Parker Oliver IV (JP), Kayla Oliver, Jaxon Oliver, and Jordan Oliver.

A private service, with immediate family, will take place January 14, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kathleen Drake Oliver may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Oliver family.