Cecil Albert Oliver, Jr.

After a protracted battle with cancer, Cecil Albert Oliver, Jr. died on February 10, 2016 in Aurora, CO at the age of 84. He leaves behind his wife, Joann Marie; his daughters, Marcella Lillian, Barbara Diane, and Mary Ruth; and his son, Joseph Scott.

Cecil was born on July 5, 1931 in Baltimore, MD, to father Cecil Albert Oliver, Sr. and mother Catherine Inez Oliver, who predeceased him. He grew up in a loving family with two brothers and a sister. He enlisted in the Navy in 1949 at the age of 17 and fought in the Korean war. He was also a 65-year member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He was a Commander for Post 219 in Baltimore, MD and Post 6361 in Aurora, CO. He later attended Metropolitan State College in Denver Colorado and received his Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science.

After the war, Cecil returned to Baltimore, met, and fell in love with the love of his life, Joann Marie Baer. They were married at St. Ambrose Catholic church in Baltimore on September 1, 1956. There the couple lived and raised four of their five children, and he served as a police officer for the Baltimore Police Department for eight years before changing careers and becoming a mechanic for United Airlines in 1964. In 1967, Cecil accepted a transfer to Denver, CO as a Flight Simulator Specialist. Their fifth child was born shortly after the move to Denver and Cecil lived in the same home in Aurora, CO until his death.

Cecil was a driven professional with a love and passion for photography, cooking, family genealogy, building birdhouses, geology, and gardening; he was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Colorado Avalanche fan. Cecil retired from United Airlines in 1989 after 25 years of service, and was able to dedicate his time to his hobbies and passions. When diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2013, he remained dedicated in his hobbies, and in his will to fight his illness. He remained a brave, iron-willed man, even throughout his final months.

Cecil is survived by his wife and children, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as his brothers Robert Thomas and James Charles, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and numerous friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Margarete; his son Thomas Marvin; and his great-granddaughter Donelle Nikol.

Visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado 80010.

Funeral Service at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 22, 2016 at Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado 80010. Reception will immediately follow in our reception room.

Interment with Military Honors at 2:00 PM, Monday February 22, 2016 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area “A”, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80236

Reception 3:00 PM, Monday February 22, 2016 at his son Joseph’s home, 6978 S. Riverwood Way, Aurora, CO 80016.

The family would especially like to thank the doctors and staff of Kaiser Permanente for their attentive treatment and care, and the Advantage-Chase Funeral home for making final arrangements.