John Forrest Oliver was born on July 23rd, 1952 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. John grew up as the son of an Army Colonel and spent his childhood in Germany, Washington state and Houston. He attended the University of Texas, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Botany in 1974. While there he met and married his first wife, Debbie Howell. John was accepted into dental school at UT Health Science Center in Houston graduating with honors in 1978. Shortly after, he became a Captain in the Army, entering his residency at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, where he served as a general dentist for three years. He returned to the states in 1983, where his first daughter, Shaina was born, in Fort Hood. John left the Army in 1983 after being accepted into the UT Health Science Center School of Orthodontics in Houston. Upon completion, he moved his family to Brownwood, and began his orthodontics practice. In 1986, his daughter Megan was born. John continued to practice orthodontics until the day he died, leaving behind countless patients who adored him and a staff who was like his second family.
John had many interests and was proud to have been a published author. He was fluent in German and Spanish. He was artistic and was skilled in furniture making, knife making, photography and guitar. John was constantly active and enjoyed hunting, traveling, scuba diving, snow skiing, hiking, and reading. More than anything, John loved spending time with his family.
John spent the last few years of his life married to his soul mate, Shelly.
John died suddenly on July 2nd, 2017 at the age of 64. He leaves behind his wife, Shelly Oliver. He was proceeded in death by his father, Hugh Malcolm Oliver. He leaves behind his mother, Marilyn Oliver. He leaves behind daughter Shaina and husband Earl Bilbrey, daughter Megan and husband Justin Jacobson, daughter Kylene and husband Josh Luke, son Bryan and wife Tamara Jarrett, and son Michael and wife Michelle Jarrett. He leaves behind eight grandchildren; Madelyn, Brooks, Swayze, Kaysen, Roman, Maddox, Aiden, Kade and two more on the way. He also leaves behind many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
John will be missed dearly by his wife, family, friends and community.
A memorial service will be held at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood on Friday, July 7th at 2pm. The family will be receiving friends Thursday evening from 6-8pm, at Heartland Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to 22 Kill, an organization that provides mental health aid to military men and women in the United States Military.
The family requests that memories, stories and tributes be shared online at heartlandfuneralhome.net