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Harold “Guy” Oliver was born in his family home in Pleasantville, Iowa, on Jan. 6, 1923, to father George and mother Mabel (nee Preston) Oliver. The youngest, by far, of 4 brothers, he was doted on, and given the nickname “Sweetie”, which he (reluctantly) carried with him until graduation from Pleasantville High School.
His early life was spent in this small town Iowa farming community, so small there were no stop signs or stoplights. He spent his days, dressed in overalls, and no shoes, fishing, playing with friends and getting into mischief. This was an era of flappers,bootleggers (his eldest brother was one!) and barnstormers, buzzing the country. He saw silent films become “talkies”, seeing Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Laurel and Hardy at the movies. It was a time of dance marathons, Houdini, the first ready-to-wear fashion, and a new Ford cost $ 290.00.
Radios were the rage, and the only one in Pleasantville was a home-made version he built with his brother, and since they had they only radio in town, the townsfolk could often be found in their parlor, hovered around this amazing new gadget, hearing the news of the day.
Father, George, was the town’s Railroad Depot Agent for over 40 years, a kind and gentle man who planted all the family produce, along with fruit trees in a small orchard, and his dearly loved roses. He had purchased an orange grove in Florida, on land now occupied by Disneyworld, later cashing out just before the crash of 1929, and used this money to help all of the townsfolk survive the depression. The day he died, the town of Pleasantville closed for the day, in his honor, the most loved man in the town.
Harold joined the Navy at 19, attending flight school, and was awarded his wings , becoming a Lieutenant, at the end of WWII . He then married the love of his life, Betty Jo McClure, and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, one of the flight instructors at the Corpus Christi Naval Base. There he began his young family with the births of son, Guy and daughter Linda.
He began a career as a secretary for the Southern Pacific Railroad, working his way up the corporate ladder, due his gift of being a supreme salesman; and without a college degree, became in his last position, the VP of Sales for the Cotton Belt RR, having been transferred to St. Louis in 1964, residing in Webster Groves, Missouri (after too many transfers and moves to count).
Of note at this time , his new boss did not like the name “Harold”, and thus he became known as “Guy”, (his middle name) for the rest of his life.
His spare time was spent pursuing many hobbies, initially involving model airplanes. As a young man he flew U-control planes, winning a world speed record. Later he built and flew radio controlled (RC) planes, and when he moved to St. Louis, flew at Buder Park, in Valley Park, Missouri. With a group of his RC buddies, he was able to get the county to build an “airstrip” on the field they used for take-offs and landings, which is still in use by today’s RC enthusiasts.
Another passion was sailing, beginning at Harbor Point Yacht Club in
- Alton, Missouri. Retiring at age 59, he and wife Betty , along with friend Rosemary Hardy, daughter Linda, and grandson Brandon, motored down the Mississippi River, all the way to New Orleans. From there he sailed the Sandpiper across the Gulf to Naples, Florida, their new home. Then the Naples Yacht Club became the new home for the Sandpiper, where she was sailed happily in the Florida coastal waters, often to Sanibel Island. He finally shot a hole-in-one, in his late 70’s while playing a round with son Drew”
Other interests included a lifelong interest in photography – taking amazing photos of lands they travelled, people, landscape, and especially wildlife.
Photography, sailing, and the sport of golf was how he spent his days.
He played golf throughout the country, even making it to St. Andrew’s in Scotland, the oldest course in the world, established in the early 1400’s.
An excellent writer, he has written his memoirs, a novel, and numerous articles for sailing magazines. Also a gifted singer, it didn’t take much encouragement for him to belt out ballads by crooners of the 1940’s, Frank Sinatra being a favorite. He actually saw him perform, as a young, skinny, unknown, at an Iowa music hall.
He sang for residents and staff of his residences in his last years; first at Laclede Groves, then Provision Living, followed by Mari de Villa, and finally at Meramec Bluffs. He sang his last tune, “I left My Heart in San Francisco” a week before he passed away, peacefully in his sleep, on May 11, 2017, with his son Guy, and daughter-in-law, Diane comforting him.
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois 63123 on Thursday May 18 from 1:00 pm until funeral service time 2:00pm. Interment at Sunset Cemetery.
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