Harry Upton Oliver

FAYETTEVILLE -Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Harry Upton Oliver, 84, of Fayetteville, passed away from complications due to bladder cancer on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, in Carrol S. Roberson Hospice Center. He was surrounded by family and friends. Mr. Oliver was born on Feb. 14, 1927, to the late Richard Patterson and Mamie Creech Oliver in Johnston County. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters. He was married to Virginia McLester Thompson on April 19, 1985. Mr. Oliver graduated from Edwards Military Academy, East Carolina University and did his post-graduate work at Syracuse University. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a combat pilot and Russian linguist. He also served in the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. Mr. Oliver was a veteran of World War II (one of six brothers serving during that war) and the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated veteran: USAF Distinguished Service Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medals (3), and World War II Victory Medals (3). He retired from military service in 1973, and was employed by Pella Window and Door Co. and Craftline Windows. Mr. Oliver was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer and dancer. He was inducted into both the Beach Music Shaggers Hall of Fame and The San Flea Living Legend Association in 1993, and the Fayetteville Area Shaggers Hall of Fame in 1995. Music was an important part of his life. Mr. Oliver was a loving father and husband. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Virginia; daughter, Beth Oliver Teague and husband Jack of Asheville; and his three stepchildren, Claire Thompson Tuttle and husband Randall of Winston-Salem, Rebecca Thompson Byrd and husband Jeff of Greensboro, and Frank Thompson and wife Erin of Wilmington. He had 11 grandchildren, Jackson, Ashley and Hunter Teague, Scott and Carson Tuttle, Addison, Thompson, Charles and Virginia Byrd, and Leighton and Crawford Thompson; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity, or the Fayetteville Symphony. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Highland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville with Dr. J. Ernest Johnson officiating. A visitation will be held in the reception hall immediately following the service. The family wishes to thank the medical staff of the ICU unit Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, UNC Memorial Hospital, and the Carrol S. Roberson Hospice Center for the excellent care that was given to Mr. Oliver. Services entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville.