John R. "Randy" Oliver 1946 ~ 2008

 Oh! T'was a fierce gale that took this Captain for his last sail. A good night to die for a warrior and a king, if there ever were such a thing.

John Randolph Oliver, Randy, was a proud father, a brother to many a good man and a hero this Valley will not soon forget. He had a heart of liquid gold and a laugh that could fill the entire room. Randy was a 40-year resident of Skagit Valley who made his home in the majestic town of Marblemount. His doors were always open to all good men and beast, alike. No mouth would go unfed, as none was an orphan on his land.

On December 26th, 2008 at 8:28 pm, Randy, 62, died in Mount Vernon from an aggressive, incurable cancer. He left this world with a grace and dignity that those who knew him would only expect.

He was born in Los Angeles on May 10th, 1946 to big band orchestra leader, Eddie Oliver and mother Kelly Clawson. After graduating from high school in Palm Springs he joined the Marines. He soon became one of the youngest Marine Sergeants at age 19. He and his men were of the unlucky ones to first land on the shores of Vietnam. After sixteen months of jungle combat he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1968 with both Presidential and Navy Unit citations.

Randy majored in English and Theater Arts at Santa Monica City College; he attended the College of the Redwoods to study Biology and Natural Sciences and continued studies at Humboldt State in the School of Forestry. This led him to employment with the U.S. Forest Service and a home in Marblemount at the foothills of the North Cascades. He became the crew leader for the 25 fire fighters that made up the original Marblemount Hotshots and he owned and operated a small woodworking business, specializing in rough and finish carpentry.

In 1979 he became an EMT and worked for Aero Skagit in Concrete. After completing school to become a Respiratory Therapist he was employed in 1983 at United General Hospital. He furthered his education to become a Paramedic in 1984. For the last 25 years he has been a Paramedic, not only working in Skagit County, but also in Honolulu at the Queens Hospital Hyperbaric chamber, as well as Monroe, Seattle and Bellingham as a flight medic for St. Joseph's hospital helicopter Med Flight.

Randy is survived by his only daughter, Rose Anna Oliver, his sister Debra Oliver, his nephew Jove Oliver and his most loyal friend Jimmy-Jim. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

Randy was set to retire this year with big plans to run his new business, North Cross Woodworking. He enjoyed gentleman dinners with his long time friend, Brother Jay, spending hours on the back porch watching the birds with the love of his life, Patricia "Mita" Sheldon and passing down  his knowledge of woodworking and sailing to his beloved daughter, Rose.

On Saturday, January 10th, 2009 he will be honored by his brothers and sisters in uniform with a procession from the Burlington Fire Department, 350 Sharon St., Burlington to Mount Baker Middle School, 2310 E Section St., Mount Vernon where at 3:00 pm his memorial service will be held.  The public is invited to the memorial service. Please email olivermemorial@yahoo.com for further information or to participate in the procession.

On Sunday, January 11, 2009 we will celebrate his life at the Hillcrest Park Lodge at 4:00 pm. All who loved him are welcome. Please bring a potluck dish and a story to share.

Randy, you loved the Earth in a way that most men have utterly forgotten. You will be missed by many.