Georgia-2011-HR1763-Introduced

By: Representatives Rogers of the 26th, Dunahoo of the 25th, Collins of the 27th, and Benton of the 31st

Honoring the life and memory of Mr. Samuel L. Oliver; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Mr. Samuel L. Oliver on May 25, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oliver was born on May 31, 1942, in Toccoa, Georgia, a beloved son of the late Lamar Oliver and Mary (Chandler) Oliver; and

WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United States Navy as a judge advocate general until his discharge in 1969; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Mr. Oliver was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where he served on the governing board for three terms and as senior warden for two terms; and

WHEREAS, he worked his way through college, earning his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia and his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law while serving as editor of the Georgia Law School Review; and

WHEREAS, he joined the law firm of Kenyon, Gunter, Hulsey, Sims, and Oliver in 1969 and specialized in areas of corporate and business law; and

WHEREAS, he was a founding director of GB&T Bancshares and its predecessor, Gainesville Bank and Trust, serving on the board from its beginning until the bank's acquisition by SunTrust; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oliver served on numerous local, community, and civil boards, including 12 years as a member of the Gainesville Board of Education, three years as chairman, and as a member and chairman of the Northeast Georgia Community Foundation and the Gainesville College Foundation; and

WHEREAS, he was a former trustee of the Quinlan Arts Center, past member of the Gainesville Planning Commission, and past president and lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oliver was united in love and marriage to Jane Oliver, and was blessed with three remarkable children, Eric, Susan, and David, and six wonderful grandchildren, Sloan and Sam Oliver, Ethan Dodds, Sawyer and Samuel Rhett Brown, and Kaelan Delong; and

WHEREAS, he was committed to his career and community, but nothing exceeded his commitment and love for his family, always prioritizing to be a role model and mentor for his children and grandchildren who are continuing his legacy; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Oliver will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this loyal son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mr. Samuel L. Oliver and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Mr. Samuel L. Oliver.