George Oliver

George was born on the 3rd of February, 1920 to the parents of Nathaniel Dan Oliver and Mary Jane Oliver, in Marshall, Texas. He was the first in his family to venture out to California, where he remained until his death. George was a Merchant Seaman, construction worker, plumber, handyman, and an entrepreneur of sorts. He loved farming, selling watermelons and organizing youth group candy sales. He had a passion for fishing, hunting, and gardening. He loved teaching his children important life skills, and enjoyed sharing childhood stories while fishing or spending time at home with his grandsons, family and friends. Some of his favorite sayings still ring in our ears: “You aint wrong boy!” (while slapping down his domino piece); “Red to the rind, right on time” (while selling watermelons). “I love Southern food. These are the best greens since I left Texas.” Or “You tried baby, you tried, but I just caint eat this.” George’s voice and sayings will forever bring laughter to our hearts.

George is preceded in death by his wife Frances B. Oliver, one daughter Vanessa Oliver Kelly, and survived by 10 children: Jerry, Uriedale, Danny, Joyce, Mary, Harold, Tina, Renita, Mazzetta, Tonishia, 3 sisters: Lula, Hula, and Mary Bernice, 2 sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.