Calvin Jackson Oliver, 82, died unexpectedly on September 11, 2024. He had contended cheerfully with Multiple Sclerosis for over 50 years. He was a veteran, bold patriot, strong conservative, and loyal San Diego native.
Cal was born on December 4, 1941, 3 days before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, in National City, CA. The oldest of 3 brothers, Cal loved and provided for his family. A proud graduate of Sweetwater High School, he was known to frequent Oscar’s Drive-In and Jack-in-the-Box, cruising in his ’57, 2-door hard top Chevy. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Tikkanen, in 1962, and had two daughters, Nancy Jo Minutelli and Amy Jo Akin. He later remarried after losing Betty Jo to cancer after 16 years of marriage. From his second marriage, he adopted his son, Kevin C. O. King. Cal worked days and went to school at night to earn his bachelor’s degree from SDSU. He then proudly served as an Aviation Intelligence Officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict as a member of VA-153, “Blue Tail Flies”, based at NAS Lemoore. He made the 1969 deployment on CVA-34, the USS Oriskany, deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 19, to the Gulf of Tonkin (and the Cubi Point Officer’s Club). Following active duty, Cal became a PacBell line engineer for over 30 years. He taught and mentored many younger engineers. A life-long, loyal fan of the San Diego Padres and Chargers, he didn’t miss a televised game. He took pride in his 14 grandchildren, and much interest in all of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, careers and endeavors. He engaged easily in conversation with others, and made all of his caregivers feel cared for. He had faith and assurance in God, and often expressed appreciation for the Bible verse, John 3:16. He remained cheerful and determined amidst many losses and challenges, maintained his wonderful sense of humor, and remained as thankful and generous as always. He will be greatly missed. Cal was preceeded in death by his parents, Burnice and Rita Oliver, his first wife, Betty Jo (Tikkanen) Oliver, his daughter, Nancy Jo (Oliver) Minutelli, and his brothers, Reed Oliver and Larry (MaryAnn) Oliver. He is survived by his daughter, Amy Jo (Oliver) Akin (Jeff), his son, Kevin Campbell Oliver King (Lisa), his son-in-law, Vince Minutelli (Trish), his cousin, Karen Williams, his 14 grandchildren, his 3 great-grandchildren, his nephew, Matthew Oliver, and niece, Malora (Oliver) Tweet.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to an organization Cal regularly supported, Tunnels to Towers.
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