Oliver John Hursh was born May 16, 1937, in Watonga, OK to Paul and Eunice (Graham) Hursh. He passed away December 17, 2016 in Weatherford, OK, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Oliver was 79 years old. Oliver graduated from Watonga High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an electronics instructor in a mobile unit where he spent time in both Europe and North Africa. After his time in the service, Oliver returned to Oklahoma where he started college at Cameron University and ultimately graduated from SWOSU with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies and Sociology. He did his student teaching in Geary, OK in the early 1960's. Oliver started selling cars in 1962 at Chapman Chevrolet in Watonga where he met his soon to be wife, Sandra Milligan. Oliver later began working at Karns Ford in Watonga, OK. In 1968, Oliver and Arlo Gose bought the dealership from Mr. Karns and in 1973 Oliver bought Arlo out and shortened the name from Hursh-Gose Ford to simply Hursh Ford. Throughout his 47 years selling cars Oliver sold most every brand of domestic car. He even sold Indian Motorcycles for years from his Ford dealership. After Oliver sold his Ford dealership, he worked at Thompson's Motor Company in El Reno, Johnsons of Kingfisher, and Boeckman Ford in Kingfisher before retiring in 2004. Oliver spent many years devoting his time to the betterment of the Watonga community. Oliver loved coaching little league sports. He served in the Kiwanis Club for a number of years where he organized the Summer Youth Program. Oliver implemented the Pee-Wee wrestling program in Watonga and he spent the first 7 years coaching in the program. Oliver served on the Watonga City Council in the 1960s and 70s and he served on the Watonga School Board from 1975 - 1980. Oliver served as the President of the Watonga All Sports Association, the Watonga Soccer Club, and was the first President of the Watonga Take Down Club. Oliver was a past member of the Watonga Chamber of Commerce. Survivors include wife, Sandy, of the home in Watonga, OK, 3 children, Mike Beiland and wife Paula of Hydro, OK, Vonda Base and husband Randall of Geary, OK, and Paul Hursh and wife Charla of Weatherford, OK, 4 grandchildren, Larry Beiland of San Antonio, TX, Trevor Beiland and wife Tiffany of Weatherford, OK, Maggie Base of Stillwater, OK and Jacob Base of Geary, OK, 2 great-grandchildren, Tyson and Tymber Beiland, 1 sister, Paula Stanton of Kansas and 2 special buddies, Zane Plummer and Sammy Cox. Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Eunice Hursh and 2 brothers, Don and Ted Hursh. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, Central Oklahoma Regional Center, 2555 NW 58th Street, Suite 220, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Services: First United Methodist Church, Thursday, 2:00 pm, December 22, 2016, Watonga, OK Officiating: Rev. Tracey Ive and Rev. Doyle Warren Burial: Watonga IOOF Cemetery, Watonga, OK, services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Geary, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).
Rate this article: