On Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 1 p.m., friends and family will come together at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Sun Valley Road to honor the life of Marc Oliver, a beautiful man who lived a beautiful life that sadly ended last Wednesday, April 9, in San Diego during treatment for leukemia.
How can one begin to tell a short story of the life of Marc Oliver, a self proclaimed "card carrying Democrat," a lifelong devout Episcopalian, a surfer, a river man with over 50 trips on rivers in the United States and a huge baseball fan? Marc was a 25-year-long, proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, a social advocate and a lover of the world, but most significantly, a very loving husband, father, grandfather and dear, dear friend to many.
Marc's heart and soul were, and remain, honest, true and deep. His love of others, in good times and in bad times was always without limitations. He will be remembered for his willingness to help others in a manner that was free of judgment and full of compassion. Whether holding court at Tully's or helping a new person get sober, the one thing that could be counted on from Marc was a hug, a smile, a warm heart, great support and an infectious laugh.
Marc was born in San Diego on Aug. 22, 1945, to Mary Eunice Oliver and Aaron Oliver. Marc was one of four Oliver sons; his brothers are Aaron, now deceased, Forrest and Darrel. He lived his early life in San Diego, where he developed a lifelong passion for surfing and living abundantly. He graduated from Mission Bay High School, and then attended San Diego State University where he pledged with the Kappa Sig fraternity. During high school, Marc displayed early signs of the development of a big heart by helping young refugee immigrants from Indonesia and Vietnam become established in the United States. Marc viewed his refugee friends as his brothers, and continued contact with some of them throughout his life.
Before college, Marc began working as a political activist. He worked as a civil rights worker, and had the opportunity to meet one of his great heroes, Martin Luther King Jr. Marc was arrested in civil rights marches and protests in both Selma and Montgomery, Ala. Marc also worked on behalf of New York City Mayor John Lindsay in his efforts to reform U.S. prisons.
Marc and several friends moved to Ketchum in the early 1970s and had a good long run of "fun in the sun," as he would say.
In 1983, Marc made a life-altering decision, and decided to quit drinking alcohol. Marc viewed his sober life as a miracle, and dedicated much of his time and energy to others who needed or wanted help finding sobriety.
Also in 1983, Marc met Myrna Oliver, and they married in 1984. As Marc liked to say about his marriage to Myrna, "It was the smartest decision I ever made" or "My one right decision that made everything else work." Marc and Myrna built an amazing life, and together created a successful drywall business in the Wood River Valley. They raised three wonderful daughters, Tracy, deceased, Debby and Lori. Debby married Russ Carey, and has two children, Justin and Emily. Lori is married to Will Burks, has a son, Elliott, and is expecting her second child in May of this year.
Marc and Myrna spent much of their summers on the rivers of Idaho, and together with a group of their friends ran the Middle Fork and Main Salmon, Selway, Snake, Bruneau and Payette rivers. Marc and Myrna also navigated the Colorado River twice, spending over 19 days each trip in the Grand Canyon. Marc was a natural river man, rowed his own boat and introduced many people to the wonders of the Idaho wilderness.
During the last five years, Marc and Myrna traveled between Sun Valley, Los Cabos, Mexico, Phoenix and San Diego. Marc brought many of his friends and family members to the Sea of Cortez in San Jose del Cabo, where he surfed daily and was a patient and enthusiastic teacher of surfing to visitors to the area. During that time, Marc also worked part time in Sun Valley, and created a drywall patching company cleverly named "Mr. Patch."
Marc was active in many charitable and nonprofit organizations in the Wood River Valley. He was the head of the expansion of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where he had proudly served as senior warden.
Marc loved his church, his faith, his friends and family and his ability to serve others. He strove to make the world a better place. Marc's loving presence will be missed enormously by those who knew and loved him.
Following the 1 p.m. service Thursday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, there will be a "Celebration of the Life and Love of Marc Oliver," at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge.
Donations in Marc's name can be directed to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Outreach Program.
