Donald Earl Oliver

Donald E. Oliver, 94, of Lakewood, California, passed away on January 17, 2025 at Ivy Park Assisted living in La Palma, California, after a period of declining health.

Donald Earl Oliver was born August 30, 1930 in Sandpoint, Idaho, the son of Earl and Bonnie Oliver (nee Hohn). He went to school in Colburn and Sandpoint, Idaho. During his formative years he loved to fish and hunt and hike. As was the custom in those days, he spent a lot of time with the large extended families of his mother and father. In Colburn he played with his many cousins, often on his grandfather, Charles W. Oliver's property, known as the Oliver ranch. His teenage years were shaped by spending time with his Uncle Roman Hohn, who lived and worked with his family in Sandpoint.

Donald Oliver graduated from high school in 1948 and started work in the family business of logging and road building until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 8, 1949. He served aboard the USS BAIROKO CVE 115, a commencement Bay Class Escort Carrier. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on March 7, 1950 and for the next four years he drove logging truck for his father and Uncle John Oliver. In 1954 he attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he shared an apartment with his cousin Glen Oliver. In 1955 he transferred to the University of Montana in Missoula after his father moved the family business to Thompson Falls, Montana. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

After graduation Don worked for Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company in Boise, Idaho until he transferred to Aetna's office in Southern California. He worked for Aetna as a Claims Investigator in Glendale and Torrance, California until he retired in 1991. 

During his time in California Don became an avid tennis and bridge player and as a result made some special lifelong friends. One was with his roommate Albert Mrofka who shared an apartment with him for a long time at the South Bay Club in Torrance, California. The other was with his girlfriend, Barbara Ann Pattee. Don and Barbara were lifelong tennis double partners and continued to play tennis into their eighties.

Don bought a house in Spring Hill, Florida in 2000 as did his friend Al, who owned the house next door. They spent their winters in Florida playing tennis, bridge and golf. During the summers he made his home in Thompson Falls and visited his relatives in Idaho and Montana. He often went four-wheeling in Spirit Lake with his uncle and aunt, Roman and Lee Hohn, and his cousin, Larry Hohn.

As he aged, Don was fortunate to have good friends and neighbors surrounding his Lakewood, California home. First among them were his next door neighbors Jose and Maria Velazquez. They watched over his property when he was gone and watched over him when he was present. On more than one occasion Maria could be credited with saving his life during medical emergencies.

In his final years Don sold his Florida home and spent most of his time in Lakewood. He traveled to Thompson Falls during the summers with his cousin Ricky Hohn, to work on his property and enjoy summer activities with family

Don was preceded in Death by his mother Veronica (Bonnie) Rushlow, his father Earl Oliver, his step-mother Alice Oliver, his grandparents Charles and Mary Oliver, and Fred and Annie Hohn. His best friend, Al Mrofka, died in 2024 as did his lifelong friend from Sandpoint, Kikie Kramer. He is survived by his lifelong girlfriend Barbara Ann Pattee of Southgate, California and a multitude of first cousins from both the Oliver and Hohn families.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 11th, at 11:30 at Coffelt Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint with Pastor Brad Ormonde of California, officiating. Mr. Oliver's final rest of interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint, Idaho.