Henry J. Oliver

Henry J. Oliver, 86, of Fort Smith, died Aug. 30, 2012 in Fort Smith. He was born Sept. 1, 1925 in Waldron, Ark. to Henry E. and Annie Eliza Denton Oliver. As one of the greatest generations, he felt the urgency to defend his country in World War II by quitting high school and joining the Marines. On returning from the war he finished high school, married, and moved to Washington, DC to work as a clerk for the FBI and earned an accounting degree at Southeastern University. He later served as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation where his biggest assignment was the investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He served as the Chief of Police for Fort Smith during which time a friendship and respect for Bill Clinton developed, due to the governor's response to the Cuban uprising at Fort Chaffee. Afterwards he served in the following capacities in state government: Director of the State Crime Lab, State Liaison to local Law Enforcement Agencies; Office of the Governor, Director of the Arkansas Transportation Safety Agency, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor, and later served as the Interim Chief of Police for Fort Smith. He served the following board positions: Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Commission, Arkansas Board of Correction, Governor's Task Force on Fire and Police Pension Systems, Sebastian County Grievance Committee, and the Fort Smith Civil Service Commission. He served over 10 years as a volunteer income tax assistant helping others with their taxes. He was a long time member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for over 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Dayle of the home; one daughter, Val Oliver of Fort Smith; one son, Paul Oliver of Barling; and one brother, Bob and wife Betty Oliver of North Little Rock, Ark. Funeral service will be Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Oak Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Casalman, Tom Clayton, and members of Henry's Bible Study Class. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Monday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Grand Avenue Baptist Church Missions or Adoption Programs 39th & Grand Avenue Fort Smith, Ark. 72901 To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.