In Memory Of
Jose Henry Oliva
1936
2024
Jose Henry Oliva
November 22, 1936 — January 1, 2024
Jose "Joe" Oliva ("Sonny"), 87, of Topeka, passed away Monday, January 1, 2024.
He was born November 22, 1936, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Jose and Mary (Lopez) Oliva. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1954.
Following high school, Joe began working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber where he was a trucker in Department 1210. Joe proudly worked for Pedro Lopez which was owned by his grandfather. He later became part owner & helped run the business.
Joe married Alexandra Oliva on December 18, 1981 in Topeka, KS .
He served his community in many capacities. Joe was a longtime Topeka Umpire for Suburban & Scaba Youth Leagues, American Legion, Semi-Pro & College venues. He earned the reputation of one of the best "balls & strikes" umpires in the game. He was inducted into the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in July of 2014. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, as well as Treasurer. He was the Director of Concession Stands at Hummer Sports Complex in order to raise money for the Knights of Columbus. He led the Goodyear Chicken Fly and organized many golf tournaments within the state. He was an election worker & volunteered at the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta.
When his children were young, he was very active in their activities. He was the Lungren Elementary PTA President, a Boy Scout Troop Master, member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow, & earned an Edward Wood Badge award, along with coaching many of their youth sports.
Joe was a faithful servant of our Lord and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He organized and collected donations for Our Lady of Guadalupe School to get an air conditioning system.
He will be remembered by so many for his giving heart, his charity work and always having an uplifting, positive attitude, always with a beautiful smile. Joe had a willingness to give help whenever anyone needed it and had the gift of being able to connect with anyone he met. Joe had a bold yet peaceful presence that gave those around him a sense of security & safety. He was also a jokester and loved to make others laugh.
In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, water skiing, boating, bowling and golfing. He was an avid sports fan, with KU basketball being his favorite. Joe liked to travel with Alexandra and loved listening to Mariachi music, especially on the beach in Acapulco. He also loved travels with his grandchildren, whether that be a cruise of the Caribbean or a trip to Disney World.
He leaves behind his wife, Alexandra Oliva; children, Richard Oliva, Debbie Agan, Barbara Oliva, Robert (Brenda) Oliva, Linda (John) Hersh, Nicole Preslicka and Lissette Mansbridge; grandchildren, Trent, Amanda, Joe, Matthew, Michael, John, Ashley, Allison, Melissa, Danielle, Cesario, Gabriel; 15 great grandchildren; and his siblings, Julian (Peggy) Oliva, Dolores Oliva and Mabel Lira. He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Stephen Agan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 201 NE Chandler, Topeka, KS 66616. His family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service and a rosary will be said during that time. In his honor, the family has requested that people wear their KU gear to the service. He will be laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe church.
To share a memory of Jose or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born November 22, 1936, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Jose and Mary (Lopez) Oliva. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1954.
Following high school, Joe began working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber where he was a trucker in Department 1210. Joe proudly worked for Pedro Lopez which was owned by his grandfather. He later became part owner & helped run the business.
Joe married Alexandra Oliva on December 18, 1981 in Topeka, KS .
He served his community in many capacities. Joe was a longtime Topeka Umpire for Suburban & Scaba Youth Leagues, American Legion, Semi-Pro & College venues. He earned the reputation of one of the best "balls & strikes" umpires in the game. He was inducted into the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in July of 2014. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, as well as Treasurer. He was the Director of Concession Stands at Hummer Sports Complex in order to raise money for the Knights of Columbus. He led the Goodyear Chicken Fly and organized many golf tournaments within the state. He was an election worker & volunteered at the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta.
When his children were young, he was very active in their activities. He was the Lungren Elementary PTA President, a Boy Scout Troop Master, member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow, & earned an Edward Wood Badge award, along with coaching many of their youth sports.
Joe was a faithful servant of our Lord and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He organized and collected donations for Our Lady of Guadalupe School to get an air conditioning system.
He will be remembered by so many for his giving heart, his charity work and always having an uplifting, positive attitude, always with a beautiful smile. Joe had a willingness to give help whenever anyone needed it and had the gift of being able to connect with anyone he met. Joe had a bold yet peaceful presence that gave those around him a sense of security & safety. He was also a jokester and loved to make others laugh.
In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, water skiing, boating, bowling and golfing. He was an avid sports fan, with KU basketball being his favorite. Joe liked to travel with Alexandra and loved listening to Mariachi music, especially on the beach in Acapulco. He also loved travels with his grandchildren, whether that be a cruise of the Caribbean or a trip to Disney World.
He leaves behind his wife, Alexandra Oliva; children, Richard Oliva, Debbie Agan, Barbara Oliva, Robert (Brenda) Oliva, Linda (John) Hersh, Nicole Preslicka and Lissette Mansbridge; grandchildren, Trent, Amanda, Joe, Matthew, Michael, John, Ashley, Allison, Melissa, Danielle, Cesario, Gabriel; 15 great grandchildren; and his siblings, Julian (Peggy) Oliva, Dolores Oliva and Mabel Lira. He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Stephen Agan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 201 NE Chandler, Topeka, KS 66616. His family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service and a rosary will be said during that time. In his honor, the family has requested that people wear their KU gear to the service. He will be laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe church.
To share a memory of Jose or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jose Henry Oliva, please visit our flower store.
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