Carl Gene Oliver

 Carl Gene Oliver, 86, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on December 22, 2024 in Houston, TX

Carl was born on January 20, 1938, in Holmwood Township, Jewell County, Kansas. He was the son of Guy Harold and Dorothy Ruby (Scarrow) Oliver.

Carl graduated from Burr Oak Kansas High School and served in the United States Army for three years. He was the panel operator who raised and lowered the guided missiles that protected Detroit, Michigan. Carl married Sharon Kay Hiatt on October 12, 1958, in Superior, Nebraska. Together they shared 64 wonderful years together. This union was blessed with three children, Carl Jr, Kayla, and Linda.

After his discharge from the Army in 1960, they lived in Superior, NE where he worked at B&S Tire. Carl attended the Bear MFG School in Rock Island, IL where he studied front-end alignment and brakes. Carl and Sharon moved to Manhattan, KS in 1964. He worked as an alignment and brake mechanic for J.C. Penney Co when they opened the first Auto Store that hired professional personnel. Carl was always called "Gene" until he went to work at J.C. Penney and they required that he use his first name. Thus in 1964, he became "Carl". A few family members still call him "Gene". He later worked for the Goodyear plant in Topeka, Kansas. For several years, he was in charge of maintenance of the concessions stands for football, basketball, baseball, track and volleyball at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. He owned and operated Oliver & Son Milk Hauling for several years, and before retirement worked as a commercial electrician for many years. He worked behind-the-scenes with his wife to operate the Wamego H&R Block office for 32 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Carl was known to his family as the fix-it man. He loved it when he was called upon to repair something or for advice. He also enjoyed woodworking and built many keepsakes for his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family. He was an avid hunter and loved fishing. He was known around town for the beautiful yard he worked so hard at. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, playing cards and dominos with friends, and meeting for coffee with several of the men in town.

Carl is survived by his three children: Carl Oliver, Jr. and wife, Sue, Pass Christian, MS, Kayla Heptig and husband, Bob, Flush, KS, and Linda McColloch and husband, Pat, Houston, TX; His Grandchildren, Sarah Brady, Bradenton, FL, Kristen Gilliland and her husband, Jack, Westmoreland, KS, Andre Oliver, Pass Christian, MS, Emily Brown and her husband, Dustin, Basehor, KS, Nicole Dekat and her husband, Eric, Flush, KS, Ashley Brenner and her husband, Westley, Houston, TX, and Austin McColloch and his wife, Heather, Garden City, KS; his great-grandchildren, Caitlin Hollingshead, Addison Brady, Ethan Brady, Braylee Brown, Lainey Brown, Paisley Brown, Kennison Dekat, Kemper Dekat, Thomas Brenner, Andrew Brenner, Matthew Brenner, Malcolm McColloch, and Halen McColloch; his sister, Carol Peters and brother, Guy (Patsy) and numerous nieces & nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, granddaughter Alysia Oliver Powell, his parents, four brothers: Harold, Richard, Percy, David and one sister: Joyce Fullerton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, January 13, 2025, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. The family will greet friends on Sunday evening, at the funeral home, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Care Ministry and may be left in care of the funeral home.

The family is asking everyone to dress casual, as Carl was known for wearing his polo shirts year round even in zero degree weather. Online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com.