Ben Douglas Oliver, 1927–2020

JAYTON—Ben Douglas Oliver of Jayton, Texas, passed away on November 18, 2020, at the age of 93 after a long and wonderful life.

Ben was born June 15, 1927 in Belton, Texas, to John and Elizabeth Oliver. Ben grew up on the family farm and went on to attend Texas A&M University. A member of the Greatest Generation, Ben left school during World War II and enlisted in the navy, serving in the Pacific Theater.

After the war, Ben graduated from Texas A&M, receiving a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve and going on to serve his fellow farmers and ranchers in the Soil Conversation Service. The agency posted him to Kent County, Texas, where he met and married Jeane Branch of Jayton in 1953. Over the years to come, Ben’s work took him and Jeane to many towns across Texas and Oklahoma, where they raised three children. Wherever Ben went, he made many friends who will remember him for years to come.

Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Jeane; his mother and father; his sister, Anne; and sons-in-law Dean Hughes and Jerry Fuller. He is survived by his daughters Leslie Fuller and Kay Wilson and her husband, David; his son Lee Oliver and his wife, LaNae; grandsons Devin Oliver and Dustin Oliver and his wife, Amanda; great-grandson Hayden Oliver; his brothers Jack and Mike Oliver; as well as nieces nephews, and cousins.

A viewing was held at Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 20 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome to leave messages, but the family will not be present due to Covid restrictions. Interment was at the Jayton Cemetery attended by immediate family only, but the family plans to have a celebration for Ben in the coming summer when we can all be together again.