Algernon M. "Al" Oliver, 88, of Pensacola died Thursday, November 2, 2006 at a local health facility in Pensacola.
Al was born in Yazoo City, MS, the son of Rev. and Mrs. A. S. Oliver. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Millsaps College, Jackson, MS and his Master of Theology degree from Emory University, Atlanta, GA. He also attended Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. He was Methodist by faith. Al served as a Chaplain in the U. S. Navy from 1943 to 1964. Assignments included three ships and various duty stations in the USA and abroad, duty with the U. S. Marines (infantry) in the Korean Conflict, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon, and CO of the Navy Chaplains School, Newport, RI. In September 1964 he retired from the Navy and accepted a position as an overseas staff executive with the Church World Services Department of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, New York, NY. Until 1970 he served as Executive Director of Korea Church World Service, with headquarters in Seoul, Korea. He was recipient of the Republic of Korea's highest award for foreign citizens, receiving in May 1966 from President Park, Chung Hee, the Order of Merit National Medal for his contribution to the social and economic development of that country. Upon his return from Korea, he joined Goodwill Industries of America, Inc. and was first assigned to Miami, FL. He was later appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries of Richmond, VA and later served in that same position with Goodwill Industries, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In January 1977 Al again retired and moved to Pensacola, where he served during his Navy career. For a number of years, he was a technical consultant to Goodwill Industries of America, Inc. and Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, state of Florida. For his Navy service, Al received the following awards: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (2 battle stars) WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (4 battle stars), United Nations Service Medal, United States Presidential Unit Citation Badge, and the United States Department of Defense Badge.
In addition, he has belonged to the following organizations and clubs: Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Downtown Rotary Club, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Other organizations include the Royal Asiatic Society, Korean-American Association, Karate Association of Korea (Black Belt, 2nd degree), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Board of Directors of the National Rehabilitation Association, Executive Committee, Republican Party of Escambia County, and Retired Officers Association. He served as a member of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, State of OK, and the Mayor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In July 1995 he married Delores Hampton Simpson, and they spent their active retirement years at Azalea Trace, enjoying extensive travel in the USA and abroad. Al also played many years on the golf courses in the Pensacola area. Further, He and Dee spent most enjoyable additional time in Al's Mississippi timberlands and in Dee's home in Sarasota, Florida. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Barrett Oliver, who died in 1991, and a daughter Susan Oliver, who died in 1974. Survivors include his wife, Delores, a son Steve (Pat) Oliver and a daughter Ann Olson both of Lake Mary, FL; two grandchildren, Kari and Eric Olson; a step-son Robert (Carol) Simpson of Scotch Plains, New Jersey. A Memorial Service will be held in the auditorium at Azalea Trace at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 5, 2006. Private committal services with full military honors will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Sunday Morning Worship Services at Azalea Trace, Emerald Coast Hospice, or the charity of your choice. The family extends special thanks to Emerald Coast Hospice and the Medical Staff of Azalea Trace for their loving and excellent care. Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.