James Lawrence Oliver

James Lawrence Oliver Sr., 78, died Sept. 16, 2011, due to complications from cancer.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 East Bogard Road, at 3 p.m., Sept. 22.

Jim was born Dec. 19, 1932, in Camden, N.J., and grew up in Philadelphia. He attended Simon Gratz High School and then the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Media, Penn., graduating in 1953.

He began working for the Budd Company in Philadelphia in auto body design and left to join the U.S. Air Force. He served in Laredo, Texas, and then Anchorage, where he received an honorable discharge in 1961 as a staff sergeant. He then worked for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Highways, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and finally the FAA as a realty specialist. He retired after 33 years of service with the federal government. He was an active member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, serving several years as state president and also several years as president of the Mat-Su chapter of NARFE.

Jim was active in church activities at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Anchorage and at First Presbyterian Church in Wasilla. In his earlier years, he was a well-known stock car racer at the old Alaska Speedway. He was active in community service as a volunteer firefighter, Red Cross trainer in first aid and CPR, Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su and the Food Pantry of Wasilla.

Jim also acted in several productions at Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla, and he was a clown with the Holy Interruption clown troupe.

He is survived by his brother, George (Phyllis); wife, Elsie; sons, James L. Oliver Jr. (Kathy) and Bryan Clements (Vicki); daughter, Maryeva Beesley (James); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su or to the Food Pantry of Wasilla.

Arrangements for the family were made by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.