Sammy "Ricky" Richard Olive

He was born October 8, 1958 to parents, Sammy Millard Olive and Joan “JoAnn” Bridgette King Olive of New Hill, NC. He graduated from Apex High School in 1976, later attending both NC State and Georgia Tech.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children Dakota Olive, Cassidy Olive and Chris Harrison; brother, Mike Olive and wife, Ruth of Fuquay-Varina; sister, Julie Olive of Apex; nephew, Aaron Olive and wife, Lindsey; and niece, Jameson Olive and fiancé Lee.

In 2017, Ricky was inducted into the inaugural class of the Apex Hall of Fame. He was a three sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball, achieving All-Conference honors in all three sports. He was named to the All Metro football team during his senior season and chosen to play in the East-West All Star game. He started his collegiate career as a tight end at NC State, later finishing at Georgia Tech as a defensive lineman. After Georgia Tech, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and became one of the few players in Apex history to ever play in the NFL. Following the NFL, Ricky spent the next 40 years as a successful home builder in the Triangle, where, at one time, he employed over 60 people. The only thing that Ricky loved more than building and repairing homes was his faith, family, friends and his chihuahuas.

The family will receive visitors at Apex Funeral Home on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at noon at Olive Chapel Baptist Church in Apex.

Fond memories and expressions of condolences may be sent to www.ApexFuneral.net for the Olive family