Byron Carl Oliver's Obituary
Byron Carl Oliver was born in 1922 in Buffalo, New York, the oldest of three childrenborn to his parents, Byron Frederick and Edna Charlotte Oliver. As a child, Carl was especially close to his maternal grandmother, Wilhelmina Hernquist (“Ma Minnie”), whose life of kindness is renowned in the family. Through the paternal side of his family, Carl’s family enjoyed many summers at Crystal Beach on Lake Erie. Carl was very athletic and he and his brother, Ryland, grew up skating, swimming and playing hockey and baseball together in a time when sports were less organized and often played on the neighborhood streets. After high school, Carl worked in a factory in Buffalo, until volunteering for the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving from 1942 until 1946. His primary post of duty was on Guam, during which time his own father died from tuberculosis acquired during service in the Navy during World War I. Upon honorable discharge from the Marines, Carl enrolled at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, after visiting Ryland, who was already attending there. Carl lettered in track at Phillips, where he met fellow student Daisy Demott; they married in 1947. Having both earned bachelor’s degrees and teaching certificates, Carl and Daisy moved to Laverne, Oklahoma, and served as teachers there until 1951, when they moved to Tulsa. Also in that year, Carl earned a master’s degree from Phillips, and their first child, Catherine, was born. Carl was a teacher and then assistant principal at Webster High School. Daughter Carolyn was born in 1953. The family was active in Yale Avenue Christian Church, where Ryland was the first minister. Over the years, visits to his sister, Shirley, and her family in Florida were important to Carl, both to maintain family connections and because he loved the ocean. After becoming the Supervisor of Social Studies for Tulsa Public Schools, Carl earned his EdD from the University of Tulsa in 1961; the family moved to Enid, where Carl became a professor of education at his alma mater, Phillips. In 1963, Carl returned to the University of Tulsa as a professor and later Acting Dean in the Department of Education, where he continued his career until his retirement. Carl enjoyed professional and social relationships with his colleagues at TU; one of his longest lasting friendships was with fellow professor Warren Hipsher. After returning to Tulsa, Carl learned how to play chess, which he enjoyed with his stepfather, Ted Mueller (which they even played by postcard communication), and later with his grandsons and other young relatives. The family was active in Community Christian Church, where Ryland was minister. Golf was an essential part of Carl’s life. During the first half of the 1970s, he was coach of the University of Tulsa Men’s Golf Team, one of the most satisfying activities of his life. As coach, Carl developed what would become lifelong friendships with some of the team members, two of whom — Mario Vitale and Rick Reed — visited him during the last week of his life. Carl was animated and displayed his sharp sense of humor in fine form with Mario and Rick, whose devotion to “Coach” for over 45 years was very meaningful to him. Carl competed as a team member with his former players Mario, Rick, Craig Minnick and Ron Streck in the TU Invitational for many years. Carl continued playing golf until just a few years ago, enjoying both the game and friendship with his contemporary “golf buddies,” most of whom have now also passed on. In 1972, Carl married Patricia Hedrick, to whom he was married until her death in early 2018. They enjoyed travel, membership at First Christian Church, and friendship with many other couples. Carl became step-father to Michael Hedrick and Melissa Hedrick (now Levoff) as a result of his marriage to Pat. Carl was a devoted caregiver to Pat as she suffered the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Carl passed away peacefully on November 9, 2018, following ten days of hospice care at Inverness Village, where he and Pat resided for several years; he expressed to his family that he had a good life and was ready to take the next step in life’s journey and “go to sleep”. Several family members were able to visit him to say goodbye. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; by his brother, Ryland; by his sister, Shirley Hornberger; and by his wife, Patricia. He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Oliver and Carolyn Knoll (Butch), and by their mother, Daisy Demott Burrus; by his grandchildren, Deidre Dietz (Robert), Heidi Sherrell (Jon), Andrew Knoll (Katie), Callie Carroll (Matt), Shane Knoll (Amber), and Jordan Schupbach (Molly); and by his great-grandchildren, Zaden Nowlin, Aiden Dietz, Adelyn Knoll, Abby Dietz, Liam Sherrell, Daisy Carroll, Sam Sherrell, Maeve Carroll, and Oliver Knoll. He is also survived by his step-son, Michael Hedrick (Karen) and step-daughter, Melissa Levoff (John), nine step-grandchildren and several step-great grandchildren; and by three nephews, two nieces and their children.A private graveside ceremony with military honors will be held this week, followed by a celebration of life in 2019, to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Inverness Employee Appreciation Fund (checks may be delivered to any Spirit Bank location in Tulsa) or to Dillon International, Inc., 7335 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 204, Tulsa, OK 74136, dillonadopt.com.
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