Thomas Francis Oliver

July 15, 1941 --- June 20, 2024

Thomas Francis Oliver of Bradenton, Florida passed from his mortal life to join our heavenly Father on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Tom was born to parents Robert and Anne Oliver in St. Louis, Missouri on July 15th, 1941. He grew up in the suburbs of St Louis with a younger sister, Margaret, and brother, Paul. As a teenager, Tom’s hard-working nature led him to various jobs, including picking grapes for Welch Juice and the arduous task of cleaning out farm silos. He attended Cuba High School, in Cuba, Missouri, where he was the basketball team’s star, setting a scoring record that was unbeaten for many years.

After HS graduation in 1959, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force. He proudly maintained the B-47 weapons systems at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri. During this time, on a blind date he met Kay Baker – after which he told his parents he had met the girl he would marry! He was right; on June 8th, 1963, Tom and Kay were married. Soon after, Tom chose an honorable discharge from the USAF to pursue his education. From the University of Central Missouri, Tom earned a Bachlor’s degree in Teaching in 1965; followed by a Masters in Mathematics in 1967. Establishing a strong reputation in the math department, Tom accepted a position as an Instructor of Mathematics at Western Illinois University; he and Kay relocated to Macomb, IL.

In 1969, after a few years of teaching, Tom accepted a position as a Tire Engineer with BF Goodrich Tire Company in Akron, Ohio. Tom and Kay moved to Stow, Ohio, where they had and raised three children - Becky, Aaron, and Doug. As a husband, Tom was faithful, reliable, and exuded responsibility - providing loving care for his wife and family. As a father, Tom was actively involved in their children’s lives; he enjoyed several years as his sons’ Cub Scout Leader. As a Tire Engineer at BF Goodrich, Tom excelled. He recruited and trained new engineers and was highly regarded for leading his team to develop a computerized system for tire production which was even adopted by Michelin Tire Company following their acquisition of BF Goodrich.

In June of 2000, Tom retired from Michelin and he and Kay began a new chapter of enjoying more time together. Tom and Kay shared a love of American history, and journeyed across the United States tracking down historical sites, visiting family and friends as well as enjoying America’s vast natural beauty. While living in Sun City Hilton Head, South Carolina, Tom was President of the Low Country Civil War Roundtable and he helped restore a B-47 at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Later, they relocated to Florida to be closer to their sons and welcome their granddaughter, Teagan, Doug’s daughter. Tom contributed to his neighbors by serving as HOA President for many years, impressing even the most skeptical of neighbors! In addition, Tom spent time building model ships, planes, as well as meticulously painting miniature soldier sets. His ship building skills were so good that some of his ships were accepted by museums!

Tom’s faith was present throughout his life. His family and friends will keep him in their hearts as a genuine, kind, caring man who loved his family, valued his friends, and was a proud veteran. Tom will be laid to rest in July at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Florida. For anyone who wishes to donate in Tom’s memory, the family suggests www.catholiccharities.org.

Lastly, Tom’s family (Kay, Becky & Mireille, Aaron, Doug & Teagan) expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Enas Sallam for her years of attentive and kind care for Tom and Tidewell Hospice for their care through Tom’s final days.